From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Alhaji Tanko
The Administrator of Kogi Local Government Area, Kogi State, Alhaji Mohammed Tanko has called on the Telecom Operators to extend their network services to some rural communities currently cut off from the society due to absence of transmission signals.
Tanko told Our Correspondent in Lokoja on Tuesday, that some communities in Kogi LGA were facing series of challenges occasioned by absence of services of telecom industries, such as MTN, Glo Mobile, Airtel, 9Mobile, among others.
He said that he had personally lodged complain at the offices of both Glo Mobile and MTN to draw their attention to the situation, saying nothing had been done since then.
According to him, people usually travelled a distance to areas where they could access signals, emphasising that businesses and other economic activities are paralysed due to absence of network.
”The situation is so pathetic; I had made several trips to major service providers both in Lokoja and Abuja to officially lodge complain on the need to extend services to Osuku community and beyond.
”Imagine travelling up to 40 minutes in an attempt to access service signals; It is so pathetic. As I am here now, I would have missed several calls and engagements that could benefit me and my people.
”I am talking of over two million people. Even the issue of security which is the paramount role of government is being threatened, as well as health issues.
”If Glo mobile, MTN and other service providers are conscious of business, I think they have a virgin land where businesses would thrive”, Tanko said.
Mrs Rabi Saliu, a resident of Ogbendu, one of the affected communities also told Our Correspondent that frustration experienced by the people due to absence of network was indescribable.
She explained that students and researchers who needed to explore internet usually traveled and sleep overnight in areas where they could access network service.
According to her, communities such as Ohuma, Onzo, Gwazaki, Lakwo, Gbongboro, Ambiriki, Osuku dudu, Okete, Achara and other neighbouring communities are affected.
