The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has decried theft and vandalism of telecommunication infrastructure across the country.

Its chairman, Adeolu Akande, made this known on Friday in Ibadan at the inauguration of Village Square Dialogue, an NCC telecommunication consumer outreach programme for the grassroots.

Mr Akande said there was a need to protect telecommunication infrastructure to ensure quality service delivery, and for stakeholders and consumers to protect telecommunication infrastructure, since security agencies cannot man the sites at all times.

The NCC chairman said that without the telecommunication infrastructure, banking, finance, education, entertainment and effective communication with distant family members would be difficult.

He said that the outreach programme was designed to engage stakeholders in the sector and seek “cooperation from members of the public and consumers to protect the infrastructure.”

Also, Efosa Idehen, the NCC Director of Consumers Affairs Bureau, said that the mandate of the Bureau was to protect, inform and educate consumers on the need to protect communication infrastructure.

Idehen said that protection of public infrastructure was a collective effort, urging the audience to work with the NCC “to ensure that the infrastructure is protected for better and quality delivery.”

Commenting, Fatai Ibikunle, the Chairman, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), thanked NCC for effective regulation of the nation’s communication sector.

In his remarks, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, described the event as a welcome development, urging people to cooperate with NCC toward securing telecommunication gadgets.

(NAN)