Lagos – The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to accept the N50 billion payment by MTN Nigeria as the total fine.
The President of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Ogunbanjo said that the N50 billion payment made by MTN was okay and somewhat seemingly agreeable with international best practices.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and indeed the Federal Government should now show some magnanimity in accepting the payment in good faith.
“This will ensure that MTN continues to be in business in Nigeria.
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“Our fines must be corrective and not as penal as to close down foreign investment interests in Nigeria.
“Nigerian regulators must not be excessively harsh in order not to send wrong signals to investors interested in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, MTN has demonstrated some goodwill by withdrawing the case from the court and paying N50 billion.
NAN reports that MTN Nigeria had on Feb. 24 withdrawn its case against the NCC at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
MTN’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ferdi Moolman, said that the withdrawal was a renewed step toward a negotiated settlement.
Moolman said that the telecoms company had paid N50 billion to the government as a gesture of good faith and commitment to continued efforts toward an amicable resolution.
He said that NCC had imposed a N1.04 trillion fine on MTN Nigeria in October 2015 for its failure to disconnect 5.1 million improperly registered lines within the prescribed deadline.
The CEO said that subsequently, the fine was adjusted by 25 per cent to N780 billion, an amount that was considered inimical to the survival of the business.
According to him, MTN Nigeria subsequently sought judicial determination as a means of protecting the local ecosystems valued and supported by MTN’s business.
“We are hopeful at this stage. Along with the authorities, it is clear that we are collectively committed to working toward a solution that is of mutual benefit to all parties.
“Our industry in Nigeria is an incredibly important example of the remarkable progress in ICT, particularly as a much needed catalyst for socioeconomic growth and development at this time,” Moolman said. (NAN)
