The recent vandalization of Gamtel’s Cabinet 20 has caused massive disruptions in the telecommunications, business, health and agriculture sectors, Gambia’s main telecommunications company announced on Tuesday.
Cabinet 20, according to the company, connects more than 2000 telephone line pairs at the Serekunda Exchange, Fajara and Kotu each with 1000 pairs.
According to Gamtel officials, the damage to the cable cabin would run into thousands of dalasi both in terms of disruptions to vital services in the various sectors, down-time, the cost of the cables and their restoration.
Officials say the vandalism also has national security implications and will also affect other operators, riding the Gamtel network infrastructure.
The development, Gamtel reported, has rendered telecommunications lines in Bakau, Fajara and Kotu East areas dormant. The company said it could take up to a week or more to restore the damaged high-level 400 primary copper cables, supplying both telecommunications and internet connectivity to these areas.
Gamtel did not rule out sabotage. It also said people have been stealing the company’s aerial cables for sale in the scrap metal market.
