NCAA shuts down Globacom Abuja base station over N5bn debt

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has shut down Globacom base station operated by the telecommunications provider on Wednesday.

The Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, led a team of security operatives to the Glo centre in Wuse 2 Abuja over a debt enforcement to the tune of N5bn.

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.

Speaking to The Punch, NCAA Spokesman, Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the development saying, “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”.

In the last follow-up letter addressed to Globacom on 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 the its masts across the country without further notice.

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“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 and addressed to

“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.