Osun to confiscate MTN masts over unpaid fees
Olorunfemi Ojo
Osun State Government has threatened to pull down all MTN masts in the state following claims that the company had refused to pay a N399, 4 million fee for right of way permit.
The state made this threat in a statement by the acting Chairman of the state Internal Revenue Service, IRS. Dayo Oyebanji.
MTN according to the statement had agreed to pay the accumulated fee by April 15 but had reneged on the agreement.
The Acting Chairman said the state would be left with “no other option” but to confiscate the telecom operator’s masts.
Mr Oyebanji did not give any specific time that the action would be carried but said MTN had not shown any sign of “seriousness” to pay the fee.
The IRS boss recalled that the state had initially seized some masts belonging to MTN but later released them after appeals from a stakeholder in the sector.
Since then, according to him, MTN had not made an efforts to pay the money or communicate with his agency on the issue.
The IRS letter to MTN on the intention to seize the masts reads inter alia, “Please be informed that the issue of non-payment constituted one of the reasons why we distort five of your mast base stations in our state on April 7, which were later released on April 9, based on the mutual understanding with Mr. Samuel Seton during our meeting on April 8 that the payment should be effected on or before April 15.
“We therefore wish to express our
disappointment on the failure of your organisation to fulfill your civic responsibility in respect of this payment despite several demand notices.
“In this regard, we are therefore left with no other option than to confiscate your base stations in our state provided we do not receive payment on or before the close of business on April 25 to the coffer of the state government.”