Individuals and businesses who are battling snail-speed or completely unavailable Internet may have to bear with the crisis for much
more time than expected as the full restoration of services is not feasible until towards the end of April.• 90% of data traffic via submarine cables affected• Banks, telcos count losses as failed payments spike more time than expected as the full restoration of services is not feasible until towards the end of April.
For a few that were functional, transfer turnaround time has increased significantly with some banks placing caveats that completion time could not be guaranteed. The banks, who appeared least prepared for the challenge, have vaguely advised customers to use alternative platforms for transactions. Responses to complaints of failed transactions seem to be slow and frustrating, suggesting the banks would be crowded from tomorrow.
Indeed, the damage to the subsea cables added to the slowdown caused by the severing of three cables in the Red Sea last month. That earlier event has been widely attributed to an anchor dragged by stricken Bulker Rubymar, which drifted for weeks after taking a hit from a Houthi anti-ship missile. Zenith Bank, at the weekend, sent messages to its customers on the hitches, informed that it is currently working with its Internet service provider to reroute its traffic through alternative routers.
“The resolution of the technical issue from one of our network partners is still in progress. We are actively working hard with our partner to resolve this issue. MainOne said it declared a force majeure event after it tested the cable system and when it had enough technical data from the preliminary assessment to indicate some underwater activity was the likely cause.
“Post repair, joints will be inspected and tested for any defects and then the submarine cable is lowered back to the seabed and guided to a good position. According to the Commission, in a statement, signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, similar undersea cables providing traffic from Europe to the East Coast of Africa, like Seacom, Europe India Gateway , Asia-Africa-Europe 1 , are said to have been cut at some point around the Red Sea, resulting in degradation of services across on these routes.
According to him, the recent damage showed that the about 1.3 million km submarine cable system under the sea globally is vulnerable to damage and activities of those who explored the oceans, stressing that there is a need to keep the seaways safer. To actualise its promise to sustain a flood free Lagos, the state government has intensified dredging/cleaning of major drainage channels and canals across the state.