Business

Telecoms Operators Flay Police Over Illegal Closure Of Infrastructure

Published

10 years ago

March 7, 2016

The Association of
Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has decried the use of the police by government agents to illegally seal telecommunications Base Transceiver Stations (BTS).
This is contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, which was obtained by The Tide on Friday in Lagos.
The statement said that the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act, CAP. C39, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 had clearly criminalised the illegal sealing of telecommunications base stations.
It said that the law had criminalised the destruction and damaging of infrastructure, including telecommunications infrastructure, of which the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had issued a number of public information in this regard.
“We are aware that in Section 6, the police is empowered to arrest anyone sealing off telecommunications base stations.
“It is a contradiction for the law to empower the Police to protect infrastructure and for the same Police to be used to illegally deny access to property they are enjoined to protect.
“Section 1 (1) (b) criminalises the obstruction of communications, hence denying access to sites using the police ultimately results in obstruction, a process which is to be prevented by the police.
“We, therefore, urge the IGP to kindly direct all Police Commands to strictly enforce taxation demands, pursuant to court orders only.
“Given the need to sensitise the populace on this unlawful act of sealing BTS, the NCC also published a Public Notice where the aforementioned Act was reiterated and the consequences of sealing a BTS was elaborated,’’ it quoted Adebayo as saying.
The statement said that telecommunications development in Nigeria was playing an integral role in the nation’s march towards a greater country
It added that telecommunication services had greatly improved the quality of life of Nigerians, as a people, from basic voice calls, to internet services and numerous value added offers by the operators.
According to the statement, in spite the above, operators still face a number of environmentally-related problems, in particular, on issues of interference with the smooth operations of telecommunications services.
It said that one of such interferences was the incidence of closure of operators’ BTS sites and other telecommunications infrastructure on the excuse of non-payment of arbitrarily-imposed taxes and levies.
The statement said that such taxes and levies imposed by States and Local Government authorities, in the name of Internally generated revenue was having adverse effects on the quality of services rendered by telecommunications operators.
It noted that the Taxes and Levies (Approved list for Collection) Law of 1998 stated in its Section 2 (1) that members of the Nigeria Police shall only be used to collect taxes in accordance with Tax laws.
It also provided that no person, including a tax authority, shall use road blocks to collect taxes.
“A reading of Section 2 (1) and (2) together can only lead to the conclusion that the police should only intervene in the collection of taxes pursuant to lawful order.
“We hereby request that the IGP kindly directs all Police Commands to strictly enforce taxation demands pursuant to court orders only.
“In the case of telecommunications companies, such orders should only be orders of the Federal High Court, since telecommunications is on the exclusive legislative list,’’ the statement quoted Adebayo as saying.

Business

RIVERS NDC STANDARD BEARER CAUTIONS AGAINST TRIBAL POLITICS IN 2027

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

Governorship candidate of The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has called on politicians and other stakeholders in the state not to make the governorship seat of Rivers State an ethnic agenda.

Chief Lulu-Briggs, who said this in an interview with newsmen shortly after arrival from Abuja, also blamed the alleged unenviable position of Rivers State among the comity of states in the country on the political class.

He said stakeholders must avoid a situation where the state would be plunged into another round of political crisis, adding that given the ethnic and cultural diversity of the state, it was necessary to give everyone a sense of inclusion by ensuring that the governorship seat rotates among the ethnic nationalities.

The NDC governorship flag bearer condemned the alleged intimidation of the electorate, noting that the situation has underdeveloped the state.

He said, if elected, his administration would provide the democratic dividends that will improve the lives of the people.

In a similar development, the state chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Rivers State, Mr Success Jack, says his party will run an all inclusive government in the state.

Mr Jack, who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt, promised that an NDC controlled government will always consult with the people before taking any decisions.

According to him, based on his party’s ideology of “Solid, Strong Accommodating”, the NDC offers hope to the hopeless and the downtrodden.

“We assure you that we are fully ready. Our party is a platform that is open to everybody whether APC or PDP, we offer hope. Our ideology is Solid, Strong, Accommodating. The manifesto of our party is anchored on the ideology of providing genuine service to the people”.

Mr Jack also stressed that the policies of an NDC government would be crafted in such a way and manner that serves the primary and secondary interests of the people.

“This is not what you find in other parties.What you find in other parties is utmost impunity, absolute impunity, where the people are not included, they are not consulted and so their opinion does not count, they don’t know what government wants to do because they didn’t contribute to what government wants to do.

“That’s not the case here. We listen to the people, even provide the way forward, (and) the details for the way forward because we provide the framework as a government but the people will provide the details because they are the ones that wear the shoes and they know where it pinches them”, he said.

By: John Bibor

Business

Navy Upgrades Infrastructure To Tackle Security Threats —— CNS

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding its infrastructures and training to tackle emerging security threats

Navy also said the service is aimed at strengthening operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas stated this during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers, as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.

Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, Abbas said the projects reflected significant progress made by the Navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.

“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the Navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”

According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.

Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.

Others facilities include the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.

Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.

“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.

With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base”, he said.

He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.

The Naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the Navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.

“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.

NAVTRAC also distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area.

Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.

Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.

“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.

He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.

Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.

He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Business

Airport Road Remains Only For Airport Activities —-Gov. Fubara

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara says Airport road will soon be accessible only for Airport activities in the state.

The Governor said this recently while inspecting the level l0of construction work on the Igwuruta By-Pass Road project in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

The Governor who expressed optimism over the progress of work on the project, saying the By-pass road will reduced unrelated activities on the Airport area in the state.

Governor Fubara explained that the By-pass road was designed in collaboration with the host community to address accessibility concerns while preserving the operational integrity of the airport corridor.

“So, we liaised with the community and created this By-pass,” he stated.

The governor further clarified the objective of the road project, saying it would provide the residents with a dedicated access route separate from the airport operations.

“The purpose of the By-pass is so needful that the community can have this as their own way, their own entrance, while the airport will remain only for airport activity once these roads are completed,” he said.

Providing an update on the pace of work, Fubara disclosed that the project had already achieved a major milestone in execution.

“So far, they’ve done about 65% of the job,” the governor announced,

revealing that contractors handling the project had assured the state government of timely delivery.

He also expressed confidence that the bypass would be completed before October.

“They’re also promising that before October, the total project will be delivered,” he added.

By: Enoch Epelle