As construction advances on the Lagos-Calabar highway, concerns loom within the telecommunications sector regarding potential disruptions. Let’s explore the implications of this infrastructure project and the challenges it poses for telecom services along the route.
Just 48 hours following Multichoice’s notification to subscribers about a three-day technical downtime, telecommunications companies are expressing apprehension regarding potential connectivity disruptions as construction progresses on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway corridor serves as a crucial landing point for multiple submarine cables connecting Nigeria to Europe. The cables, including the West Africa Cable System (WACS), MainOne, Glo1, ACE, and NCSCS, are vital for international communications and data transmission in the country.
The affected cables include MainOne Cable, the West African Cable System, the African Coast to Europe submarine cable, and the SAT3 subsea cable systems.
The highway project was planned to link Lagos to Cross River, traversing the coastal states of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, before reaching its destination in Cross River.
Delays or unforeseen challenges in the construction process could prolong disruptions to telecom services, impacting businesses, residents, and essential services.
While dialogue with the Federal Government is yet to happen, telcos have warned Hitech Construction to exercise caution to prevent damage to critical national infrastructure.
According to the President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Tony Emoekpere, the ongoing construction work is yet to get close to the areas where the undersea cables and fibre cables are located.
In summary, although the construction of the Lagos-Calabar highway presents hurdles for the telecommunications industry, proactive cooperation and inventive strategies can alleviate disruptions and open doors for network growth and advancement.
