By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
A recent shutdown of MTN Nigeria’s operations in Kogi State has led to communication disruptions, prompting many residents to seek alternative telecom networks.
Our correspondent recalls that in a joint press conference on Friday at the KGIRS headquarters in Lokoja, the Executive Chairman,Kogi State Internal Revenue Service,KGIRS, Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe and the Director General of KIUMCA, Dr. Taufiq Isa said that MTN facilities were shut down based on tax defaults.
Hajiya Hassana Salawu,a director, represented the KGIRS boss at the Press Conference.
Dr. Isa, Director General of KIUMC recalled 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.
Investigation by The Reporters indicates that since the clampdown, many MTN users have been left without access to network services, a development they said had cut them off from family, friends, and vital business connections.
“I couldn’t contact my suppliers for days. I had to travel to Onitsha to buy spare parts.
“Before the shut down of MTN facilities, I would just call my customer in Onitsha, order for my products, he would weigh bill them to me in Lokoja and I will send the money to him through bank transactions,”Chinedu Micheal,a Lokoja-based trader in motor spare parts told our correspondent on Saturday.
In response to the problem, a our correspondent reports that significant number of subscribers have begun purchasing SIM cards from other competing telecom networks.
The Reports’correspondent who visited some mobile phone shops in Lokoja noticed a surge in sales of alternative lines.
“People are just desperate to communicate . They just want to be connected again,”mobile vendor said,”said Aisha Muhammad who sells sim cards.
Experts in the telecom sector, who spoke with our correspondent on the issue,emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving issues.
“Tax compliance is important, but so is ensuring investors’ confidence and service continuity,” said Alhaji Yahaya Abdulrahman, a public servant in Lokoja.
However,there are indications that discussions are ongoing between the company and state authorities to resolve the issue amicably.
