Lagos orders MTN, Airtel, three other telecom firms to fix sagging fibre-optic cables within 48 hours

The Lagos State Government has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to five telecommunications companies to repair sagging fibre-optic cables in Ikeja Government Reserved Area (GRA).

According to SaharaReporters, the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) issued the directive on Monday, October 19, following an inspection conducted on October 13.

The affected companies are MTN, Airtel, IPNX, FibreOne and 21st Century.

The agency identified hazardous cables along Oduduwa Crescent and Ladipo Bateye Street, raising public safety concerns.

“Consequently, IPNX, FibreOne, 21st Century, Airtel and MTN are hereby directed to take immediate corrective action by inspecting, securing and rectifying all identified sagging fibre-optic cables within 48 hours of receipt of this notice, subject to any applicable regulatory requirements,” the notice stated.

LASIMRA General Manager Prince Oyekanmi Elegushi warned that noncompliance would attract regulatory penalties and enforcement action.

The companies were also instructed to submit confirmation of corrective measures taken.

The agency said the directive aimed to improve infrastructure maintenance and protect public safety.