MTN Nigeria’s base transmitting facilities in Kogi state have been shut down over allegations of non-payment of taxes.
Residents of the state and neighbouring areas have been denied access to mobile wireless service on the MTN network as a result of the shutdown of the base stations.
The Kogi State government is demanding for immediate payment of Social Service Contribution levy, Employee Development levy and annual rent for Right-of-Way on fibre optics cable.
MTN Nigeria says that the legal validity of these levies are shaky, because they do not have the Minister of Finance’s approval yet.
The telecom operator says it has “met in full all tax obligations to the Kogi State government and are not in arrearsâ€.
MTN says the demands by Kogi State government “amounts to multiple taxationâ€.
MTN is the largest mobile operator in Nigeria and has nationwide coverage. Till this imbroglio is resolved, it is a case of everywhere you go except Kogi state.