GLO offices closed at Atiwa

Offices of Telecommunications giant Globacom (GLO) at Atiwa district in the Eastern Region have been closed following a court ruling.

The District Magistrate court on Thursday gave an order for the offices to be locked after the telecommunications network refused to comply with regulations for the establishment of the network in the district.

Confirming the report on Peace FM, the District Finance Officer, Murtala Alhassan explained that before any telecommunications operator could set up its facility, they had to seek permit from the authorities.

GLO was granted the permit but according to him, it has piled up huge debt since the last three years which has resulted in the closure of the offices.

“We saw it and negotiated with them. We gave them the bill; every tower is 6000. They built six towers, that is about 36,000. We have done everything within our power but they did not remit their cost. So in 2010, they had to pay 36,000 but they did not pay. In 2011, we charged them for a penalty of 12,000 and gave them the bill 48000; they did not pay; 2012, we added 18,000 penalty to it but they did not pay…we’ve done everything possible but they did not pay up,” he said.

The mobile network is said to have refused to remit their costs which have been in instalment to a tune of about GHC 66,000.

Murtala Alhassan expressed worry over the reluctance by GLO authorities to pay up the debt.