The Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC ) said that MTN has
paid N165 billion out of the N330 billion fine imposed on it due to its
inability to disconnect improperly registered SIM cards.
Prof.
Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC said this on Monday in
Abuja when MTN Group, led by its Chairman in Nigeria, Dr Pascal Dozie
visited the commission.
In October 2015, the telecom regulator
imposed a fine of N1.04 trillion on MTN Nigeria for not complying with
government’s rule on deactivation of unregistered SIM cards.
Also,
the fine was imposed on MTN for not disconnecting about 5.1 million
improperly registered lines in its network within the stipulated
deadline.
After several appeals and negotiations including diplomatic
intervention by the South African government, the fine was reduced to
N330billion.
It initially made a commitment payment of N50billion to
the government while the remaining balance of N280 billion was to be
paid in six tranches in accordance with the agreements between the
regulator and MTN.
“I am happy to inform you that our agreement with MTN on how and when to pay the fine has been adhered to.
“Just last month, March, we received a cheque of N55billion from MTN as part of the fine payment plan.
“This brought the total fine paid by MTN Nigeria to N165billion, that is, more than half of the fine
“It
is a whopping sum of money and they have not defaulted and these
payments they are making is consistent with the terms of agreement we
reached with them ‘’ he said.
He said that the installmental payment was in line with the terms of agreement reached between MTN and the regulatory body.
According
to Danbatta, the fine is aimed at ensuring that it is not business as
usual but to ensure that the rules of engagement are respected.
“It is also to ensure that the rules governing the telecom sector of the economy is adhered to.
The
NCC boss said that the commission would continue to cooperate with the
telecom company because of its major contributions to the economic and
digital growth of the nation’s economy.
Earlier, Chairman of MTN
Nigeria said Nigeria was one of the largest contributors to its market
and the visit was to cement the relationship between it and NCC.
Dozie appealed to NCC to auction more spectrums to further open up the ICT space and improve the country’s economy.
MTN Pays N165 Out Of N330 Billion Fine – NCC
Tuesday, 10 April 2018
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