The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has raised an urgent alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, a branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.
ATCON President, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, stated that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them towards shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users across the nation.
“This strike, stemming from the persistent harassment of tanker drivers by police in Lagos State, has halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere explained. He warned that if immediate action is not taken, the situation could escalate into a complete network blackout, disrupting essential services including mobile and internet access, business operations, and emergency response systems.
ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene promptly by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to avert further deterioration of the situation. Emoekpere emphasized, “This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety.”
The association also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability. A prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals reliant on stable communication networks for daily operations.
