The House of Representatives has said that the N1.4trillion fine imposed
on MTN by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), must be fully
paid as against the N780bn the Federal Government negotiated with the
telecoms service provider.
According to the lawmakers on Wednesday, the role played by the
Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar
Malami, in the negotiations leading to a reduction in the fine is not
the best. The development came as the House ordered an investigation
into the alleged non-remittance of levies and surcharges by the Nigerian
Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, totalling $10bn.
The Chairman of the committee, Sajeed Fijabi, noted that the NCC, being the government approved regulator, should have led the negotiations and not the AGF.
He said, “There is nowhere in the law that said there is room for reduction. If you are reducing this now, what happens to Globacom and others? I see MTN going to court every time as a way to circumvent the law. In the US, British Petroleum paid its full fine for oil spills.
“Somebody is not allowing you to handle this matter the way you should. After you have imposed the fine, somebody negotiated and reduced it.
“You imposed the fine, you should take the lead on the negotiations, but now you are being sidelined. You gave them N1.4trn fine, and we at the National Assembly have already projected that amount as part of FG revenue.
“At the court, wasn’t the case between MTN and NCC? So, NCC ought to take the lead while others can provide support and advise.
“It is not a hidden fact that MTN is fond of finding ways to circumvent our laws. MTN must pay because we all remember the Gulf of Mexico spill and how those found culpable paid fully for it.
“It is even insulting that MTN is using listing on the Stock exchange as part of the negotiation. We must state it clearly that MTN is in no position to dictate the terms of negotiation in this case,” he stressed.
The Chairman of the committee, Sajeed Fijabi, noted that the NCC, being the government approved regulator, should have led the negotiations and not the AGF.
He said, “There is nowhere in the law that said there is room for reduction. If you are reducing this now, what happens to Globacom and others? I see MTN going to court every time as a way to circumvent the law. In the US, British Petroleum paid its full fine for oil spills.
“Somebody is not allowing you to handle this matter the way you should. After you have imposed the fine, somebody negotiated and reduced it.
“You imposed the fine, you should take the lead on the negotiations, but now you are being sidelined. You gave them N1.4trn fine, and we at the National Assembly have already projected that amount as part of FG revenue.
“At the court, wasn’t the case between MTN and NCC? So, NCC ought to take the lead while others can provide support and advise.
“It is not a hidden fact that MTN is fond of finding ways to circumvent our laws. MTN must pay because we all remember the Gulf of Mexico spill and how those found culpable paid fully for it.
“It is even insulting that MTN is using listing on the Stock exchange as part of the negotiation. We must state it clearly that MTN is in no position to dictate the terms of negotiation in this case,” he stressed.
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