FG dismantles Glo base station, disrupts service over N5bn telco giant owes agency

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has shut down a base station that serves Globacom in Wuse 2 Abuja over a debt to the tune of N5bn.

NCAA DG Musa Nuhu headed a team of security operatives that went to the Glo centre for the enforcement on Wednesday.

The development will disrupt the services of the telecom company in Abuja, and across Nigeria, where it commands over 52 million customers, as the sanction extends.

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.

“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 meeting and do not give any payment plan,” he told our correspondent.

He said the agency had repeatedly written to Globacom over the matter but said the teleco operator refused to honour invitations to meetings.

In an earlier letter dated October 4, 2021, and titled, ‘Re: Illegal Erection of High Structures and Refusal to Renew Expired Aviation Height Clearance Certificates by Globacom Limited,’ the NCAA had threatened to dismantle Globacom masts across the nation.

“And this shall be without further notice to you,” the letter was signed by NCAA Legal Adviser/Head, Compliance and Enforcement, Emmanuel Chukwuma and addressed,” the letter stated in part.

“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.

The teleco has yet to respond officially.