The Chairman, Board of Commissioners of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Adeolu Akande, has urged Nigerians to see telecommunication infrastructure as their own.
Akande made this disclosure while speaking during the third edition of Village Square Dialogue organised by NCC in Ibadan on Friday.
At the event were, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, who was represented by Chief Ademola Odunade,
Chairman and Nigeria Lotteries Regulatory Commission (NLRC) Fatai Ibikunle.
Others are; community leaders, trade groups, market groups, security operatives, civil servants, paramilitary groups, religious groups, community development groups, social groups, telecoms service providers, operators and consumer protection groups.
Akande while speaking at the event held at Mapo hall lamented the rate of vandalisation and stealing of telecommunication infrastructure in the country.
He, however, advised Nigerians to see telecommunication infrastructure as their own by protecting them and reporting perpetrators to the appropriate authorities.
Akande said, “The choice of Ibadan is in recognition of its strategic role in the country. Telecommunication infrastructure is important and we are to ensure that we guard them against vandals and those who are stealing the equipment.
“All acts such as destruction, vandalisation and stealing of telecommunication infrastructure must be cheeked and tacked.
“We must see telecommunication infrastructure as our own. Support us to provide better service for the people in Ibadan, Oyo state and Nigeria.
“It is unfortunate that some people are damaging the telecommunication infrastructure. Police cannot be everywhere, if we see anyone damaging the infrastructure, we should report them and things will be better”.
Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, Efosa Idehen in his presentation titled, “Protection of telecommunication infrastructure for improved quality of service: The role of residents” said residents have a major role in the protection of telecommunication infrastructure.