The intervention of the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu and other stakeholders, on Monday, led to the restoration of MTN telecommunication service in Kogi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Kogi State Utilities Infrastructure Management Compliance Agency (KUIMCA) had blocked MTN service to subscribers in the state following a dispute on tax on fibre optic cable laid in the state.
The state government had demanded payment of N1.3billion from MTN as tax obligation for the laying of fibre optic cable covering a period of 2019 to 2024, but which the telecommunication company rejected.
The disruption of MTN service, which began on April 12 was however restored on May 2, after the mediation of the NSA and other stakeholders.
“We have reopened the blocked MTN network in Kogi after the NSA and some other top government officials intervened in the misunderstanding between us,” Mr Kayode Awofeso, Consultant to KUIMCA said.
According to Awofeso, it’s not because MTN has paid any significant amount of money as regards our demand, but the intervention of these stakeholders.
“We are still discussing with MTN Nigeria as to its obligations to the state government. We hope we can understand ourselves as expected.”
NAN reports that the reopening of the MTN service in the state has come as big relief to residents, corporate bodies like banks, Hoteliers and other businesse outfits.
Mr Audu Hussaini, a trader, who deals in electrical materials, described MTN return as a “big relief ” not only to businessmen and women but to the entire residents of the state.
“Do you know that during the three weeks of their feud, you could not go to banks to transact any business. This is because their networks were down.
“We are happy that MTN and the state government have finally seen reasons to consider the masses. The truth is that when two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers, ” said Hussaini.
Also, Comrade Elisha Aso, President, Kogi Youth Awareness Group, who had on May 1 led some youths in protest over the blockage of MTN service, also described the reopening of the network as a “welcome development,”
Aso explained that the protest he led was meant to call the attention of MTN Nigeria and the Kogi state government to the plights of the masses in the wake the misunderstanding between them.
“As youths, we are ver happy that both the Kogi State Government and the Management of MTN Nigeria had our cry and quickly resolved their differences and restored telecommunication services, ” he said. (NAN)
