By correspondent in Lokoja.
Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe
Executive Chairman, KGIRS.
Dr. Taufiq Isa, Director General of KIUMCA.
The Kogi State Government has justified the recent enforcement action taken against MTN Nigeria by the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) and the Kogi State Infrastructural and Utility Management Compliance Agency (KIUMCA), citing the telecom giant’s persistent failure to meet its tax obligations.
In a joint press conference held on Friday at the KGIRS headquarters in Lokoja, Executive Chairman of KGIRS and Director General of KIUMCA outlined the reasons behind the shutdown of MTN facilities across the state.
Dr. Taufiq Isa, Director General of KIUMCA, disclosed that his agency, acting on an order from the Kogi State High Court, had previously sealed several MTN base stations and facilities in October 2024.
He said the shutdown was necessary due to MTN’s continued non-compliance with an earlier agreement on tax remittance.
“Despite several engagements and an agreement reached, MTN has consistently failed to honor its commitments.
We were left with no choice but to enforce the court order,” Dr. Isa said. He apologized to residents for the inconveniences caused by the development and urged them to temporarily use alternative network providers.
Contributing,the Director in charge of Ministries, Developments and Agencies,MDAs of the Service, told Journalists that while other telecom providers like Glo complied with their tax obligations,following similar actions last year, MTN continued to delay and present incomplete or irrelevant documentation during negotiations.
She represented the Executive Chairman of KGIRS, Alhaji Sule Salihu, Director Hajiya Hasanna Salawu at the occasion.
“The state government, in conjunction with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), had initially relaxed enforcement to allow for resolution. Unfortunately, MTN chose not to take advantage of this opportunity,” KGIRS boss added.
The officials reiterated the state government’s commitment to enforcing tax laws and ensuring that all corporate entities operating in Kogi fulfill their civic responsibilities.
Efforts by our correspondent to get the reaction of MTN officials in Lokoja, on Friday,proved abortive as the entrance to the office of the telecommunications organization remain closed.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
