President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the request of the
Minister of Communications and Digital Economic, Dr Isa Ali
Pantami, for the provision of security for telecommunications
infrastructure nationwide.
Pantami, in a press release signed by his spokesperson, Mrs Uwa
Suleiman, said that he has championed efforts to identify
telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National
Infrastructure (CNI) with a view to protecting them from vandalism
and theft.
The statement reads:
‘The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to a massive migration to
digital platforms and has increased the level of importance of
Critical National Infrastructure to the sustenance of our economy
and the security of the nation.
‘The Honourable Minister is delighted to inform stakeholders in
the telecommunications industry that, His Excellency President
Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved and also directed that
necessary physical protective measures be emplaced to safeguard
telecommunications infrastructure deployed across the country.
‘The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Defence
Headquarters (DHQ), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State
Security Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence
Corps (NSCDC), have been notified of Mr President’s directive. We
are also working towards the reinforcement of these directives
through appropriate regulatory instruments. Dr Pantami especially
appreciates the security institutions, and commends the commitment
they have demonstrated in securing these infrastructures.”
The minister went on to express this gratitude to the President
for his ‘timely approval’, saying that he is confident that this
will address the challenge of vandalism of Critical National
Infrastructure. He also said that this approval will go a long way
in supporting the implementation of the National Broadband Plan
(2020-2025).
Pantami urged Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure that
they further reduce the price of data and calls for citizens,
saying that the directive was from the Federal Government.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the request of the
Minister of Communications and Digital Economic, Dr Isa Ali
Pantami, for the provision of security for telecommunications
infrastructure nationwide.
Pantami, in a press release signed by his spokesperson, Mrs Uwa
Suleiman, said that he has championed efforts to identify
telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National
Infrastructure (CNI) with a view to protecting them from vandalism
and theft.
The statement reads:
‘The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to a massive migration to
digital platforms and has increased the level of importance of
Critical National Infrastructure to the sustenance of our economy
and the security of the nation.
‘The Honourable Minister is delighted to inform stakeholders in
the telecommunications industry that, His Excellency President
Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved and also directed that
necessary physical protective measures be emplaced to safeguard
telecommunications infrastructure deployed across the country.
‘The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Defence
Headquarters (DHQ), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State
Security Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence
Corps (NSCDC), have been notified of Mr President’s directive. We
are also working towards the reinforcement of these directives
through appropriate regulatory instruments. Dr Pantami especially
appreciates the security institutions, and commends the commitment
they have demonstrated in securing these infrastructures.”
The minister went on to express this gratitude to the President
for his ‘timely approval’, saying that he is confident that this
will address the challenge of vandalism of Critical National
Infrastructure. He also said that this approval will go a long way
in supporting the implementation of the National Broadband Plan
(2020-2025).
Pantami urged Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure that
they further reduce the price of data and calls for citizens,
saying that the directive was from the Federal Government.