SIM registration: MTN pays N110bn in fine

MTN Nigeria has paid a total of N110bn into the coffers of the
government out of the N330bn imposed on it by the Nigerian
Communications Commission.

Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta,
disclosed this at a workshop on Code of Corporate Governance
organised by the commission in Kano on Thursday.

He also disclosed that the commission was rejigging its
regulatory activities to ensure that telecommunications’ consumers
get value for their money.

NCC had in October 2015 imposed a fine of N1.04tn on MTN for
irregular registration of subscribers. However, after prolonged
negotiation with both the regulatory agency and the Federal
Government, the company had the fine reduced to N330bn.

Danbatta said the matter had been resolved with an agreement for
settlement over a three-year period signed between the agency and
MTN.

He said the payment was spread over a three-year period because
the intention was not to snuff life out of MTN.

The NCC boss said, “Current evaluation report of the state of
the industry suggests that whilst not understating the impact of
other external and fiscal issues confronting the sector, that most
challenges negatively affecting the health of operators in the
sector today are attributable to poor governance issues.

“It is currently rejigging its regulatory oversights in the
areas of ensuring that consumers get cost effective value for money
spent on telecommunication services; and that service delivery by
providers are qualitative and efficient.

MTN Nigeria has paid a total of N110bn into the coffers of the
government out of the N330bn imposed on it by the Nigerian
Communications Commission.

Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta,
disclosed this at a workshop on Code of Corporate Governance
organised by the commission in Kano on Thursday.

He also disclosed that the commission was rejigging its
regulatory activities to ensure that telecommunications’ consumers
get value for their money.

NCC had in October 2015 imposed a fine of N1.04tn on MTN for
irregular registration of subscribers. However, after prolonged
negotiation with both the regulatory agency and the Federal
Government, the company had the fine reduced to N330bn.

Danbatta said the matter had been resolved with an agreement for
settlement over a three-year period signed between the agency and
MTN.

He said the payment was spread over a three-year period because
the intention was not to snuff life out of MTN.

The NCC boss said, “Current evaluation report of the state of
the industry suggests that whilst not understating the impact of
other external and fiscal issues confronting the sector, that most
challenges negatively affecting the health of operators in the
sector today are attributable to poor governance issues.

“It is currently rejigging its regulatory oversights in the
areas of ensuring that consumers get cost effective value for money
spent on telecommunication services; and that service delivery by
providers are qualitative and efficient.