Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Efforts by MTN Nigeria to reduce the $5.2bn (N1.04 trillion) fine imposed on it by the Nigeria industry regulator, the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC reduced over its failure to deregister over five million unregistered lines on its network seemed to have hit the brick wall at least for now.
NCC said on Monday that it is considering shifting the payment deadline which fell due today, 15 November because of appeal from the telecommunications company and the fact that it has acknowledged that it ran foul of the industry regulations over its failure to deregister the telephone lines.
In a statement signed by Tony Ojobo, NCC Director of Communications, he said the engagement with the telecommunications company over the fine is still ongoing.
The statement confirmed earlier claims by MTN early Monday that NCC has reviewed the deadline for the payment of the fine it imposed on MTN for defying regulatory directives following a series of meetings with the regulator.
Phuthuma Nhleko, MTN executive chairman said in the statement that he has personally met the Nigerian authorities to continue the ongoing discussions regarding the fine of N200, 000 for every unregistered subscriber.
According to him, the discussions include matters of non-compliance and the remedial measures that may have to be adopted to address the matter.
“Although the Nigerian Communications Commission set a deadline for payment of the fine by Monday, November 16 2015, shareholders are advised that the Nigerian authorities have, without prejudice, agreed that the imposed fine will not be payable until the negotiations have been concluded, the company said,” Nhlehko said in the statement which was obviously designed to calm potential negative consequences on its shares as a result of the payment of the hefty fine.
“MTN, in a letter of November 2, 2015 admitted the infraction and pleaded for leniency. The Commission has …Read More
Source:: PM Newspaper
