FG to MTN: Pay N50bn fine now

The Federal Government has insisted that MTN Nigeria pays N50 billion for its violation of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards registration policy.
MTN was fined the N1.04 trillion for failing to register a number of subscribers in accordance with laid down rules.
The downward review of the fine by 25 per cent as well as payment of N50 billion by the telecommunication company led to an investigation of the issue by the House of Representatives.
While making his presentation on the floor of the House on diversification of the Nigerian economy, Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, disclosed that his ministry asked the telecommunication company to pay N50 billion fine.
The minister, however, said that the money was not part of the fine.
He told the lawmakers that negotiation for review of the fine could not commence due to the ongoing investigation into the matter by the House.
Shittu, however, assured the House that as soon as the House concluded its investigation, negotiation of the fine would commence.
The Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Rep. Saheed Fijabi (Oyo-APC) told the minister that his comment on the floor was contrary to what he told the investigative committee.
According to Fijabi, the minister denied being involved in the downward review of the fine as well as the payment of N50billion.
The minister, who said the government was set to turn the Information and Communications Technology ( ICT ) sector into highest revenue earner for the country disclosed that plans were at advanced stage to reposition the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST).
He said with over 2,500 locations around the country, the government was set to go into Public Private Partnership (PPP) whereby post offices could perform financial services, especially in the rural areas.
According to him, government is considering sourcing the chief executive of the organisation, Post Master General from outside the system through open advertisement.
He said that it was a better option to ensure that the required expertise was gotten for the new NIPOST.
He regretted the non patronage of indigenous ICT companies, which had resulted in 70 per cent of the personal computer market going to foreign manufacturers.
He assured that with an enabling environment, which his ministry was set to provide, the sector could drive the Nigerian economy.