Youths under the aegis of Kogi Youth Awareness Group, on Wednesday staged a protest over what they described as undue poor telecom services in the State.
News Men reports in Lokoja that the protesting youths blocked the Lokoja – Ajaokuta Highway, chanting “enough is enough of the suffering and pains.”
The demonstrators were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions demanding for the restoration of the telecom services in the state.
Some of the placards read, “Communication is our right, Bring back MTN Network ,” ” We don’t want any problem but peace ” and “Kogi Government and MTN should dialogue and restore telecom services,” amongst others.
Comrade Elisha Aso, leader of the group, told newsmen that the protest was meant to call the attention of MTN Nigeria and the Kogi State government to the plight of the masses in the wake the misunderstanding between them.
“We understand that the Kogi government has shut down the facilities of MTN telecommunication in the state over alleged failure to comply with its tax obligation and other related matters.
“We are protesting today on the street of Lokoja because of the pain and suffering we are going through as residents of Kogi.
“For almost a month now the telecom services in Kogi has been so terrible and causing us a lot of hardship in various dimensions, particularly for MTN subscribers with network being totally off.
“This development has crippled various businesses including banking services and other petty businesses in the state.
“Our passionate call is to both the Kogi State Government and the Management of MTN Nigeria to quickly resolve their differences and restore the telecom services in the state, ” he said.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), attributed the shuting down of MTN services in the state to the refusal of the company to accept the result of a verification exercise carried out on the fibre kilometer way, laid down in the state.
Alhaji Salihu Enehe, Chairman of KGIRS, who spoke through Hassanatu Salawu, Director MDAs of the Service, said that the telecommunication outfit was owing about the sum of N1.3b, covering the period 2019 to 2024.
He explained that the verification exercise conducted by the state government was to determine the actual tax obligation telecoms companies.
He, however, said that MTN ignored its obligation even when other service providers accepted and complied.
KGIRS boss, who appreciated MTN Nigeria, which began operation in Kogi since 2003, however said that its failure to honour the rules and regulations bothering on tax obligation remained the bone of contention .
Also speaking, Mr Taofik Isah, the Director-General of Kogi State Utilities Infrastructure Management Compliance Agency ( KUIMCA) described the situation as unfortunate considering Gov. Ahmed Ododo administration’s friendly disposition towards investors.
Taofik said that his agency was saddled with the responsibility to enforce compliance with the rules and regulations by telecom services providers.
“We called the attention of MTN service provider to the issue of fibre kilometer verification and auditing when we found out that they have more than they claimed.
“From all indications, MTN is not ready to comply with our findings”, he said .
An impeccable MTN source, who chose to be anonymous, blamed the ongoing impasse on the Kogi government for taking a hasty decision by shutting down its facilities and being economical with the truth.
“The contention is the rights of way, the optic fibres kilometer. We have to sort out those fibres in trunk A and B road to avoid double payment.
“The figure of N1.3 billion tax obligation is outrageous. The negotiation is ongoing to address the grey areas to arrive at compromise for settlement.
“The government’s decision is hasty. We expected them to weigh the best option to avoid its negative impact on the people,” the source said.
