Diesel shortage threatens nationwide telecom shutdown  – ATCON

A severe diesel supply crisis, triggered by an ongoing strike by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, is pushing Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure to the brink of collapse.

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has raised an urgent alarm, warning that millions of mobile and internet users are at risk of being disconnected.

According to ATCON President, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, the strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements. “This strike… has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.

The diesel supply disruption has severely impacted telecom base stations, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels. Emoekpere explained that if urgent measures are not taken, the situation could escalate into a full-blown network blackout, disrupting essential services including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.

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ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene immediately by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators. Emoekpere stressed that the situation is not just a telecom issue, but a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety. “This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” he said.

The association has also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability. ATCON emphasized that a prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations.

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