The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has warned of potential nationwide disruptions to telecom services due to the blockage of diesel depots by members of petroleum products unions.
In a statement on Thursday, Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON, said the association received credible reports that members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) had blocked access to diesel depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Delta state.
He said the blockade has prevented the distribution of diesel to thousands of telecommunications sites operated by IHS Towers, a key telecom infrastructure provider and ALTON member.
The development is said to be a protest linked to ongoing investigations into allegations of diesel misappropriation made by IHS against two NOGASA-affiliated companies.
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The ALTON said the act poses a serious threat to over 16,000 telecoms sites across the country, which support mobile and internet services as well as critical sectors such as banking, emergency response, and national security.
“While ALTON does not interfere in disputes between its members and third parties, we are gravely concerned about the wider implications of this action on national infrastructure and public safety,” Adebayo said.
“Telecom infrastructure is officially classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) under Nigerian law.
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“Any disruption to its operation constitutes a serious threat to national security and economic stability and will attract strict legal consequences.”
The association appealed to the leadership of NUPENG and NOGASA to call their members to order and resolve the matter through lawful channels.
“We trust that NUPENG and NOGASA will continue to uphold the values of supporting national development without jeopardizing essential services,” Adebayo added.
The telecoms body also urged the office of the national security adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and other relevant authorities to urgently intervene to avoid a looming communications blackout.
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The ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to providing reliable telecom services nationwide but said disruptions of this nature hinder its members’ ability to deliver on that mandate.
