Takoradi, July 29, GNA - The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has threatened to lock up the premises of Takoradi offices of Vodafone next Monday if the company failed to settle its indebtedness to the Assembly.

Mr Emmanuel Opoku-Boateng, the Public Relations Officer of the STMA, told the Ghana News Agency in Takoradi on Friday that Vodafone owed the Assembly GH¢184,241 being taxes on outdoor advertising on billboards and branding of the company.

He said since Ghana Telecom changed to Vodafone about three years ago, it had failed to pay tax to the Assembly for advertising and painting of buildings in Vodafone colours in the metropolis.

Mr Opoku-Boateng said the Assembly had served the company several demand notices to settle its indebtedness but to no avail, adding, “If persuasion fails force must be applied hence the closure of the company’s internet cafe office on Thursday, July 28.”

He said the Assembly would sustain the exercise until it recovered all monies businesses owed them.

Customers who called at the Vodafone Internet Cafe in Takoradi on Thursday were disappointed when they were walked out of the premises by the Revenue Collectors taskforce.

The staff looked on helplessly as some police personnel and STMA City Guards locked up the Internet Cafe with padlocks.

Mr. Joseph Kyei, Commercial Manager, of the Takoradi office of Vodafone, said the company honoured its tax obligations annually and described the incident as unfortunate because this year’s payment had delayed.

He said Vodafone would settle the problem amicably with the Assembly.