Network disruption in Kaduna as govt closes MTN, Glo, Airtel towers due to unpaid N5.8bn tax
In a bid to enforce tax compliance, the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service has taken action by shutting down seven telecommunication masts owned by MTN and Globacom in urban areas throughout the state. The outstanding taxes amount to a total of N5.8bn.
Zakari Muhammad, the Head of Corporate Communications at the Kaduna IRS, confirmed this move in a statement released on Thursday.
These masts, essential for maintaining mobile phone networks, were targeted for closure due to their significant tax debts as identified by the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency.
Part of the statement reads, “Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, in the exercise of its powers vested in it by Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act, has sealed up the following masts due to huge tax liabilities as established by Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KASUPDA).”
The sealed masts include the MTN mast (IHS) at Tafawa Balewa Way, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna; the GLO mast at Shehu Laminu road, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna and the MTN mast (IHS) at Surami road, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna.
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Others include MTN Mast (IHS) at Etsu Road, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna, MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9-Mobile Masts (ATC) at Nagwamatse Road, Kaduna, MTN (IHS) at Nagwamatse road, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna and an MTN mast (IHS) at Shehu Laminu road, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna.
During a media briefing, the Secretary and Legal Adviser of the KADIRS Board, Aysha Ahmad, underscored the necessity of such measures in enforcing compliance among companies failing to meet their tax obligations.
“We are left with no option but to exercise the powers vested in us by the law to enforce compliance,” she affirmed.
Ahmad stressed the regrettable necessity of sealing properties due to unpaid taxes, emphasizing citizens’ duty to fulfil their tax obligations.
She highlighted the preference for voluntary compliance, with enforcement as a last resort, amidst the Kaduna State Government’s N120bn revenue target.
The Legal Adviser of Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Authority (KASUPDA), Shamsuddeen Lere, confirmed serving notices to defaulters but noted compliance was lacking.
He reiterated his determination to pursue all defaulters diligently, stating, “The monies belong to the state government.”
