While the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway advances, telecommunication firms are beginning to express concern over possible cable damage that can lead to connectivity disruptions.
The highway corridor is a major landing point for multiple submarine cables linking Nigeria to Europe.
Speaking on the crucial issue, the chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, on Sunday, May 5, stressed the need for stakeholder consultations with the Ministry of Works to address potential risks and implement sustainable mitigation measures.
Adebayo, during an interview with newsmen, confirmed that the ministry had yet to engage the telcos on environmental impact assessment, adding that the minister, Dave Umahi, engaged some stakeholders but excluded telecom operators.
The ALTON boss said: “The Ministry of Works has not approached us, and I’m unsure if environmental impact assessments have been conducted. The route is crucial for the landing of numerous submarine cables, so caution is essential.
“Some members have reached out to them, urging caution. As the chairman of the industry, I can affirm that ALTON members were not consulted regarding the assessment of the undersea cable within that right of way.”
According to him, the corridor facilitates international traffic into the country with so much risk involved if caution is not applied by HiTech, the construction company.
His words: “There’s a significant risk involved, and I advise carefulness. Any destruction could lead to total disruption and severe economic consequences. Caution must be exercised to avoid damaging this critical economic infrastructure.”