The Group Chairman and Chief Executive of MTN, Mr. Phuthuma
Freedom Nhleko has expressed faith in the Nigeria’s economy, eyes mobile
financial services, reports ITRealms.
Nhleko gave this verdict recently during when he led a high
level delegation to the headquarters of the Nigerian Communications Commission
(NCC) in Abuja recently.
This is coming despite the grim challenges arising from the
N330b fine imposed on MTN by NCC last year.
Nhleko, who was received by the Executive Vice Chairman
(EVC) of the NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta and top management of the Commission said
the Group has faith in Nigeria and will be willing to invest more in the sector
in the years to come. “We had challenges in the past, during the period of the
fine, and we are grateful for the role, the Commission played towards an
amicable resolution”.
Nhleko whose visit to the NCC management is a valedictory
one as he steps down as Group Chairman in March, 2017 said MTN Group has
injected over $16billion into the Nigerian operations and “we have a very long
way to go and so ask for spectrum which is the oxygen and life blood to
navigate this long and tedious investment journey, without spectrum, the sector
will suffocate”.
Nhleko specifically solicited for more spectrum allocation
and a release of the one that belonged to Visafone, whose equity shares MTN
acquired in 2015, canvassing for a more level playing field “despite being
dominant player”.
He said MTN has made its mark in voice and data services and
that more services like mobile financial services are underway.
Responding, Prof. Danbatta welcomed the delegation and
assured them that the Commission will always play by the rules and support
every operator within the ambits of the law.
“I like to state that our word is our covenant. When we take decisions, we are concerned
about the stability of the industry and there is no way we can guarantee it
without considering the dominant status of MTN and its obligations and if the
dominant status is becoming stringent, we are open to engagement, we will be
guided by what is happening in the market, to ensure the growth and development
of the sector”.
He said “the sector has contributed very well to the
National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and has shown remarkable resilience in
this recession”
Danbatta said the NCC made a case for relaxing fiscal
policies towards the sector to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) “and the CBN
Governor is favourably disposed to our request and further engagement
especially towards major players who desire to import equipment to aid deployment
of broadband infrastructure services and others”.
The Commission, he explained, will always carry out
interventions to cushion the operators request to provide necessary services.
On spectrum assignment, Danbatta, said MTN got six slots in
the 2.6 GHz auction and full utilization of that spectrum is envisaged.
“We are open to further discussion on the areas of spectrum
assignment,” he said, advising MTN to put across request for spectrum of
interest and NCC will check its availability.
The Commission “is here to protect the interests of the
operators as well as consumers, consistent with our mandate, the trust reposed
on us by the government and people of Nigeria; protecting their interests and
ensuring a level playing field and respect for our laws”.
The EVC said the Commission only resorts to sanctions as a
regulatory action of last resort after allowing time for checking compliance.
The EVC received the delegation in company of Executive
Commissioner (Technical Services), Mr. Ubale Maska, his counterpart for Stakeholders
Management, Mr. Sunday Dare, Directors: Mr. Tony Ojobo (Public Affairs), Ms.
Funlola Akiode (Licensing & Authorisation), Ms Josephine Amuwa (Policy,
Competition & Economic Analysis), Mr. Austin Nwaulune (Spectrum
Administration), Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye (Legal & Regulatory Services), Mr.
Ayuba Shuaibu (Universal Service Provision Fund - USPF) and Mr. Usman Malah
(Chief of Staff to EVC).
The MTN delegation included Mr. Pascal Dozie Chairman, MTN
(Nigeria), Col. Sani Bello (Vice Chairman), Board members: Chief Victor Odili,
Chief Gbenga Oyebode, Mr. Ferdi Moolman (CEO) among others.
No comments:
Post a Comment