Telecom service in Lagos, Ogun may be disrupted as NUPENG strike halts diesel supply

Telecom operators have raised an alarm over an impending service disruption within Lagos and Ogun states as the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) ceases diesel supply to service locations.

Trouble began when members of the NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Driver(PTD) took the lead in protesting against the alleged harassment by police officers in Lagos state. As a result, all workers have suspended operations indefinitely, including truck loading, movement and delivery of diesel products.

This action cuts off supply to all telecom base stations within Lagos and Ogun state, posing a consequential threat to network connectivity in the affected region. 

This development has prompted the operators to call on the Governors of both states, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun for urgent intervention. Reacting, the President of The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, called on both governors to wade in and prevent further disruptions.

“We respectfully request the urgent intervention of the Lagos and Ogun state governors to facilitate access to diesel from the depot, ensuring uninterrupted operation of our affected telecom sites,” Emoekpere said.

Due to the epileptic power supply in Nigeria, the majority of the telecom sites across the country heavily rely on diesel generators to provide uninterrupted services to the users. The impact of the ongoing strike will continue to increase within the affected states as diesel supply is already running low.

Soon, millions of telecom subscribers within the states will begin to experience significant network disruptions as their connectivity supply begins to dwindle. As a ripple effect businesses that rely strongly on network connectivity such as digital communication and financial transactions will begin to experience delays or even become cut off.

With telecom operators urging swift intervention, the outcome of ongoing negotiations could determine whether network disruptions are averted. Stakeholders hope for a timely solution to safeguard communication services for millions of users. As the standoff continues, all eyes are on the Lagos and Ogun state governments to provide an amicable resolution.

Nigerians face telecom disruption amid 50% tariff hike 

This development is coming at a time when Nigerians are grappling with a recent 50% hike in data prices by major telecom providers like MTN, Glo etc. The increase has sparked widespread anger and anxiety, as millions of users now face higher costs for essential connectivity.

The tariff hike has already strained households, students, businesses, and healthcare providers who rely on affordable internet access for daily activities. If the current telecom disruption continues, it could exacerbate user frustration, impacting productivity, digital communication, and essential services. This double challenge stresses the urgency for a swift resolution to avoid deepening Nigeria’s digital divide.

Recall that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)  had mandated service providers to enhance the quality of their services to justify a tariff increment.

The commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, in a statement, noted that “Issues such as network congestion, dropped calls, inconsistent internet speeds, unusual data depletion, and poor customer service have remained prevalent concerns. It is, therefore, crucial that tariff adjustments directly translate into demonstrable and tangible service enhancements for consumers.”

Emphasizing the significance of consumer satisfaction Ondaje stated “It is non-negotiable that telecom operators must prioritize visible and measurable improvements in network reliability, speed, accessibility, and customer service as part of any tariff adjustment. The rationale for the increase must be reflected in better services for consumers who rely on telecommunications for both personal and business purposes.”

The FCCPC’s strong warning places emphasis on the urgency for telecom operators to not only address potential service disruptions due to diesel shortages but also ensure that the tariff hike leads to improved service quality. 

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