Ekiti shuts MTN, Etisalat offices over debts

OUTLETS of two Global System for Mobile (GSM) Telecommunication companies, MTN Nigeria Limited and Etisalat, in Ado-Ekiti have been sealed by the state government for allegedly defaulting in payment of N50 million signage and advertisement bills.

The affected outlets include their main offices at Fajuyi Park and Okesa as well as two others of MTN at lyin road and Adebayo area.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Mr. Ropo Ogunbiyi, said the agency has legal backing for its action. According to him, the companies were formally notified since 2006 about their huge indebtedness to the state government which, however, could not get any positive response from them.

He lamented that that companies of such calibre that have made so much money from members of the public could find it difficult to pay their signage fees. He stressed that after a long period of waiting and entreaties, the agency had no option than to seal off the offices.

He explained further that with the dwindling federal allocations, the state government has to look inwards and generate more money internally to execute its numerous people-oriented projects.

He commended Governor Ayodele Fayose for living up to his electoral promises in spite of the ‘huge debt’ inherited from the previous administration, urging the people, particularly the private sector to assist the government through prompt payment of their taxes and rates.