Telecom mast
By CALLISTUS OFFOR, Abuja –
Nigeria’s telecoms operators have warned that blocking the supply of diesel to network sites could soon cause major service problems across the country.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr Gbenga Adebayo, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
Cause of the Blockage
Adebayo noted that workers from two major oil unions stopped diesel trucks from loading fuel at depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko in Delta State.
The action reportedly followed a dispute over alleged fuel theft involving two NOGASA-linked companies and IHS Towers.
The ALTON boss said the diesel is crucial for powering thousands of telecom sites, especially those run by IHS Towers.
“This is a serious threat to public safety and national security, telecom sites are critical infrastructure, blocking fuel from reaching them is dangerous and illegal,” Adebayo said.
The blockade is affecting some of the 16,000 telecom sites that keep mobile networks, internet, banking, hospitals, emergency services, and security systems running across Nigeria.
“Without diesel, we cannot keep the networks running. Millions of Nigerians could lose access to vital services,” Adebayo warned.
Adebayo urged the oil unions to stop the blockade immediately and resolve any disputes legally. He called on government agencies to step in before the country faces a full network shutdown.
