Ekiti Seals Off Etisalat, MTN Outlets Over N50M Signage Fees Debt

THE ongoing impasse between Ekiti State Government and two telecommunication service providers, MTN Nigeria Limited and Etisalat Nigeria, over non-payment of signage and advertisement bills which runs to the tune of N50 million, has led to the closing down of their outlets in Ado-Ekiti. The affected outlets include their main offices at Fajuyi Park and Okesa, while two other outlets of MTN at lyin road and Adebayo area of Ado-Ekiti were also sealed off. Commenting on the development, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Mr. Ropo Ogunbiyi, said his agency had legal backing for its action. He stated that the affected companies were formally notified about their huge indebtedness to the state government since 2006 but refused to make any positive response. He lamented that it was unfortunate that telecommunication companies of such calibre that have made so much fortune from the members of the public could find it difficult to pay their signage fees, adding that after a long period of waiting and entreaties, the board had no option left than to seal off their offices. The revenue boss explained further that with dwindling federal allocations, there was need for the state government to look inwards and generate more money internally so as to have enough funds to execute its numerous people-oriental projects.