The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has raised concerns about the imminent shutdown of telecoms facilities in Kogi State as a result of disputes arising from unusual taxes and levies demanded by Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS).
The issue, the association fears, could result in a total communications blackout in the entire Kogi State, parts of Abuja and possible impact on service availability in some parts of the following states: Nassarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Niger States. These are states sharing borders with Kogi State.
This situation arises as a number of critical telecommunications sites belonging to its members have been closed and sealed up by Kogi State Government in an attempt to increase its internally generated revenue (IGR).
This action, the association said in a statement on Monday signed by its chairman Gbenga Adebayo and head of operations Gbolahan Awonuga, followed “an ex-parte court order obtained by the KIRS over unsubstantiated allegations that ouy members are in default of tax payments to the state government (which is not the truth) and access to these critical telecom sites has been denied.”
“As result of these actions by the state government, our members are unable to refuel power generators in these sites, a situation which has led to outage of over 70 sites including hub sites across parts of Kogi State. Now, with likely impact on Nine States surrounding Kogi (namely:- Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Niger States. These are States sharing borders with Kogi State), and Abuja the FCT inclusive.
“We are very concerned that this indiscriminate action has the potential of further leading to a total telecommunications outage in Kogi State with neighboring states and parts of the Federal Capital Territory adversely impacted.
“To the best of our knowledge, our members have settled all statutory levies and taxes due to the Kogi State Government and have taken necessary steps to comply with local laws that govern business activities within Kogi State,” the statement added.
The association called on the Federal Government to intervene in the matter.
