N4.7bn Debt: Regulator under ‘tremendous pressure’ to seal off Globacom facility ─NCAA

*The action we took was for the safety of aviation operations in Nigeria, as other telecoms service providers are paying except Globacom, which has failed to meet up its obligation since 2007 ─Musa Nuhu, Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Citing “tremendous pressure” form the Federal Government to recover the outstanding debt from one of the country’s Telcos, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has explained why and how the regulatory agency shut down the main switch centre of Globacom Limited at Wuse 2, in Abuja, FCT.

ConsumerConnect gathered the NCAA disclosed that the aviation regulator sealed off the telecoms operator’s facility over its non-payment of N4.7billion debt.

Mr. Musa Nuhu, Director-General of NCAA, who confirmed the agency carried out the exercise Wednesday, December 22, 2021, under the supervision of Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister for Aviation, agency report said.

Nuhu stated: “My agency is under tremendous pressure by the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we will do our best within the power vested on us to make sure the debt is settled.”

According to NCAA Director-General at the point of shutting down the tower, the facility would be switched off until Globacom pays the debt.

Nuhu noted that the telecoms company had paid only N500 million out of the N5.2billion it owes, pointing out that the outstanding debt was N4.7billion.

The country’s aviation regulator also said that other telecommunications service providers are paying, but that Globacom has failed to meet up its obligation since 2007.

He further said: “The action we took was for the safety of aviation in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, any masts after a certain height, we are supposed to regulate it to ensure that it is properly covered.

“We do fly aircraft. We do flight helicopters, and it could be drones, among others things we fly. Not necessary regular passenger flight.”

The NCAA Chief as well stated:  “Police, PHCN and all those people; do patrol all over the country. I am sure you have seen their helicopters. That is why it is important for us to ensure we have all these in the roadmap and put them in action.”

According to Nuhu, the NCAA wrote 15 letters to Glo without a “tangible reply” since he assumed office in the country.

The Director-General said: “Of recent, when I came, then we sat down we have been speaking silently.

“They have paid some money, but they still have almost N4.7 billion debt remaining. None of the communication services providers has that amount due for payment.”

He added: “That started in 2007. We don’t like shutting down things, but we have to take this drastic action because we are having financial issues and pressures from different sectors of government.”

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