The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Cross River State Command, has issued a stern warning to construction companies operating within the state to prioritize the safety of underground telecommunications infrastructure or face severe legal consequences.
The warning follows a direct enforcement action taken by the Command’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) Unit against Sermatech Construction Company along the Calabar-Uyo highway.
Following reports of massive excavation and the subsequent destruction of Airtel Fibre Optic facilities approximately 54km from Calabar, the State Commandant, Okarazu C.E., dispatched a specialized enforcement team to the site.
Upon a spot assessment conducted on the 5th of March, the Command discovered extensive damage to the high-capacity cables caused by heavy machinery. In a decisive move to prevent further economic sabotage, the Head of Department (HOD) CNAI ordered an immediate halt to construction activities in the affected area.
The Project Manager of Sermatech, Mr. Iheanacho Chibueze, has been officially served an invitation to report to the Command Headquarters for interrogation and to explain the company’s failure to coordinate with service providers before commencing excavation.
“Fibre optic cables are the nervous system of our national communication and economy,” Commandant Okarazu stated. “While we support infrastructural development and the road projects of the Federal and State Governments, we will not tolerate the reckless destruction of one asset to build another. Any company that digs without proper ‘Right of Way’ (RoW) verification and destroys critical cables is committing an act of economic sabotage.”
This enforcement is in direct alignment with the vision of the Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, which mandates all state commands to adopt a “zero-compromise” stance on the protection of telecommunications, power, and petroleum infrastructure.
The NSCDC Cross River Command hereby advises all construction firms, including those handled by indigenous and international contractors, to:
1. Consult with the NSCDC CNAI Department before beginning deep excavations.
2. Liaise with Telecommunications Service Providers to map out existing underground facilities.
3. Ensure Presence of NSCDC Personnel during critical phases of excavation near known infrastructure routes.
The Command remains committed to the “People First” agenda of Governor Prince Bassey Otu, ensuring that the state’s digital connectivity remains uninterrupted.
Orok Kinini Iyeme SC
Command PRO
