The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), on Wednesday shut down a base station operated by telecommunications provider, Globacom, in Wuse 2 Abuja over a debt to the tune of N5bn.
NCAA DG, Capt. Musa Nuhu, led a team of security operatives to the Glo centre for the enforcement.
Nuhu said the agency will continue to disable Glo’s Main Switch Centres across the country until the telecom company commits to a payment schedule.
NCAA Spokesman, Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the development on Wednesday.
“One of Glo’s coordinating centres was disabled today in Abuja to pressure the company to commit to a payment plan. They owed NCAA and we have been on it for years. They do not honour meetings and do not give any payment plan,” he told our correspondent.
The NCAA spokesman said the Agency had repeatedly written to Globacom over the matter but said the mobile network operator refused to honour invitations to meetings.
In the last follow-up letter which was dated October 4, 2021, and titled, ‘Re: Illegal Erection of High Structures and Refusal to Renew Expired Aviation Height Clearance Certificates by Globacom Limited,’ NCAA had threatened that following the failure by Globacom to pay the required fees amounting to N5.9 billion, it would have no choice but to commence the dismantling of its masts across the country without further notice.
“In the circumstance, having exhausted all avenues for a resolution of this matter, we are now left without choice but to apply the relevant sanctions, including the dismantling of all your non-compliant masts nationwide. And this shall be without further notice to you,” the letter was signed by NCAA Legal Adviser/Head, Compliance and Enforcement, Emmanuel Chukwuma .
“I am directed to inform you that the NCAA is not disposed to granting this latest (fourth) request to reschedule the meeting, particularly, as no reason was given for your non-attendance on the last date.
“In the circumstance, having exhausted all avenues for a resolution of this matter, we are now left without choice but to apply the relevant sanctions including the dismantling of all your non-compliant masts nationwide. And this shall be without further notice to you,” it said.
Efforts to get the comments of the Head, Public Relations, Globacom, Andrew Okeleke, proved abortive as of press time.
