|Babatunji Wusu-
-MTN Shutdown Linked to Non-Compliance with Kogi State Regulations
–KUIMCA, KIRS Accuse Telecom Giant of Tax Evasion, Rights Violations
The Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency (KUIMCA) has blamed mobile telecom operator MTN Nigeria for the ongoing network outage in the state, accusing the company of violating operational rules and evading statutory payments.
For the past two weeks, residents of Kogi State have battled network disruptions, with a total blackout in service from MTN in the last one week. The development has affected both personal and official communications, drawing concerns from security agencies and businesses.
Speaking to journalists on Friday in Lokoja, KUIMCA’s Director General, Dr. Taufiq Isa, said MTN’s failure to comply with the operational guidelines set out in the state’s official gazette led to the sealing of its facilities after obtaining a court order.
“When I assumed office last August, I reviewed MTN’s records and discovered a clear pattern of non-compliance.
We invited them for discussions. They complained about being overbilled based on the area covered by their optic fibre network,” Isa said.
Isa disclosed that a four-day joint verification exercise was carried out, which revealed that MTN was covering even more ground than it claimed, yet refused to make the necessary payments afterward.
“They were found to be covering more areas than they initially admitted. We demanded full payment, but they refused. That’s why their facilities were sealed.”
Isa called on residents to remain calm and switch to alternative networks pending resolution, emphasizing that citizens’ rights and safety must not be compromised.
In a related development, the Executive Chairman of Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Salihu Enehe, through a representative, Hassana Salawu, accused MTN of repeatedly ignoring official messages and failing to attend reconciliation meetings.
“MTN has shown disregard for lawful engagement. While they declared 48 optic fibre lines, audits revealed 199 fibres buried across the state. We have invited them for discussions multiple times, but they’ve refused to show up,” Salawu stated.
The state government insists that its actions are guided by due process and aimed at ensuring corporate accountability and compliance with state infrastructure policies.
