Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has written to the Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC) requesting it to restore telephone services in ten of the 17 local government areas affected by the ban, which came in force about four months ago.
The affected ten local government areas are Kurfi, Dutsinma, Matazu, Musawa, Malumfashi and Dandume. The rest include Bakori, Funtua, Kafur and Danja.
Those not affected by the planned restoration of the services are Faskari, Sabuwa, Batsari, Safana, Kankara, Danmusa and Jibia.
It would be recalled that the Katsina State government had passed a crime prevention order, which, in addition to suspending telephone services in 17 local government areas, also prohibited the use of some roads in the affected areas, the transportation of firewood within the state, sale of all categories of animals in, and the total closure of some major markets in the affected places as well as the sale of motor cycles in the affected markets and the restriction of the use of commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 10.00pm to 5.30am throughout the state, among others.
The decision by the government to suspend the ban in the ten local governments is as a result of the return to near normalcy, even as efforts have remained on the front burner to ensure maximum return of peace in every part of the state.
Signed,
Abdu Labaran Malumfashi,
DG Media.
