The Cross River State has issued a two-month ultimatum for telecoms companies (telcos) and other service providers following the ban on aerial fibre cables within the state capital, Calabar.
The Cross River State Infrastructure Development Agency (CRSIDA), which issued the two-month ultimatum for telcos and other aerial fibre cables, warns that defaulters of its new guidelines risk imposition of fines and outright removal of such affected cables within Calabar and surrounding areas.
Nta Eke, CRSIDA Director-General, who announced the ban through a public notice says the use of overhead power poles for fibre cable installations in Calabar, and surrounding areas has been outlawed.
According to CRSIDA, “All service providers currently using overhead power poles for fiber cables must submit a plan to the Office of Infrastructure for transitioning these installations underground within 2 months, as the Agency will also embark on removing the overhead cables.”
CRSIDA: Owners of aerial fibre cables get two-month ultimatum
In the notice, the CRSIDA Director-General says the decision aims to ensure safety, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure integrity. “The Cross River State Government,” Eke says, “is committed to creating a sustainable, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment for our citizens.”
According to CRSIDA, “All service providers currently using overhead power poles for fiber cables must submit a plan to the Office of Infrastructure for transitioning these installations underground within 2 months, as the Agency will also embark on removing the overhead cables.”
CRSIDA, further threatens that “non-compliance will result in regulatory action, including fines and potential removal of unauthorized installations.”
The Cross River State Government also asked service providers to submit detailed plans to the Office of Infrastructure on how they intend to transition their installations underground before the two-month deadline, “as the agency will also embark on removing the overhead cables.”
CRSIDA, which says that key risks are associated with overhead fibre cable installations, cites vulnerability to weather damage, which its says can leads to frequent service disruptions, and increased safety risks, such as electrocution hazards for maintenance workers.
Overhead fibre cables also contribute to visual pollution, which impacts the city’s aesthetics, according to the CRSIDA.
“We have learned that some entities use power poles to pass fibre cables overhead. While this may appear to be a convenient solution, it poses significant environmental, safety, and operational risks for service providers and the community,” CRSIDA says in the notice.
CRSIDA says that its policy is part of the Cross River State Government’s effort to modernise its infrastructure, and align with global best practices for telecoms and utility installations.
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