By Onwe Wisdom|Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has acknowledged ongoing quality of service (QoS) challenges affecting telecommunications subscribers in Abuja, attributing the disruption largely to issues surrounding diesel supply to critical telecom infrastructure.
In a press release e-signed by the agency’s Head, Public Affairs,Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha and issued on Friday, the Commission stated that the challenges have “impacted the quality of experience of telecommunications subscribers” in the Federal Capital Territory, assuring the public that decisive steps are being taken to address the situation.
According to the NCC, the service degradation is linked to disruptions in diesel supply affecting IHS Nigeria Limited, the colocation company responsible for powering base stations used by major network operators, including Airtel and MTN, in the affected areas.
“The challenges are a result of the activities of the National Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA), which disrupted diesel supplies to sites with the attendant telecommunications services outages in Abuja,” the Commission said.
Emphasising its commitment to uninterrupted communication services, the NCC noted that it “recognizes the importance of reliable power supply for the provision of optimal telecommunication services” and is working closely with key stakeholders and licensees to resolve the problem.
The regulatory body disclosed that it is actively engaging all relevant parties to find both immediate and long-term solutions. “The Commission urges all parties to work together to collaboratively resolve these challenges swiftly by removing the diesel supply bottlenecks affecting critical telecommunications infrastructure, arising from NOGASA’s actions,” the statement added.
Despite the setbacks, the NCC reaffirmed its resolve to sustain growth and stability in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. “We reiterate our commitment to fostering a conducive environment for the growth and sustainability of telecommunications services in Nigeria,” the Commission said, adding that it is facilitating dialogue between affected service providers and stakeholders to promptly restore service quality.
The Commission assured subscribers that efforts are ongoing to bring the situation under control, noting that it “remains dedicated to effectively managing the situation and will keep the public updated on progress towards restoring full telecommunication services in Abuja.”
Expressing appreciation to consumers, the NCC thanked subscribers for their patience and understanding, while reaffirming “our commitment to delivering high-quality telecommunications services nationwide.”
