The umbrella body for all mobile network operators, tower companies, and telecommunications infrastructure providers in Nigeria, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has expressed deep concerns about ongoing disruptions to the supply logistics of diesel to cell sites across the country.
ALTON, which held a CNII & Sustainabilty Conference Thursday, in partnership with the umbrella Nigeria Information Reporters Association of Nigeria(NITRA), at Citiheight Hotel, Lagos, south west, Nigeria Thursday, expressed the concern because of the wide implications disrupting diesel supply logistics chain could have on the telecommunications industry quality of service(QoS), and, by extension, the quality of experience(QoE).
The ALTON statement, e-authored by its Chairman Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, reads in part: “We have received credible reports that members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), on Tuesday, blocked access to diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko (Delta State), preventing the distribution of diesel to thousands of telecommunications sites operated by one of our key members, IHS Towers.
This action, reportedly stemming from allegations by IHS of diesel misappropriation against 2 member companies of NOGASA and which is being investigated by the requisite authorities, has resulted in a critical threat to the operation of some of the 16,000 telecommunications sites nationwide, servicing Mobile Network Operators. These sites not only power mobile and internet services for millions of Nigerians, but also support essential services such as banking transactions, hospital communications, emergency response systems, and national security operations.
While ALTON does not necessarily interfere in disputes between its members and third parties, we are gravely concerned about the wider implications of this action on national infrastructure and public safety.
“We recognize and deeply respect the vital role NOGASA and NUPENG have played in sustaining Nigeria’s energy supply chain and supporting national development over the years, and we trust that they will continue to uphold these values by ensuring that their actions do not jeopardize critical national infrastructure or public welfare.
We hereby request that uninterrupted access be granted to the Diesel supply locations, and we urge all parties involved to embrace constructive dialogue to resolve the matter, without further disruption to essential services.
“We also remind all stakeholders that telecommunications infrastructure has been officially classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) under Nigerian law. Any deliberate disruption or blockade that affects the operation of such infrastructure constitutes a serious threat to national security and economic stability and will attract strict legal consequences.
We call on the leadership of NUPENG and NOGASA, our highly respected trade unions, to intervene by calling their members to order. Disputes must be resolved within the framework of lawful contracts and applicable legal processes, without resorting to actions that endanger the operations of an entire industry and the lives and livelihoods that depend on it.
We also call on relevant authorities, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and other critical stakeholders, to urgently intervene to forestall a looming nationwide communications blackout.”
ALTON affirms that it remains fully committed to ensuring quality, reliable, and resilient telecommunications services for all Nigerians adding, “however, disruptions of this nature undermine our members’ ability to maintain and improve service delivery and threaten the integrity of the country’s digital and communications ecosystem.”
