By Alltimepost.com
Africa Network For Environment and Economic Justice has warned that the squabbles among the agencies involved with resolution of the dispute between Nigerian Government and Telecom Provider, MTN would likely undermine the statutory control of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to deal with infractions against the nation’s telecom laws.
This, according to the organization is notwithstanding the fact that all the behind-the-scene moves being made to resolve the impasse are to be seen in the light of conflict resolution.
MTN is a South African Telecommunications Provider operating in Nigeria.
ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor gave the warning in the wake of recent reports that MTN has paid N50 billion to the Federal Government of Nigeria as an initial step to resolve the impasse generated from its disobedience to a directive by Nigerian telecoms regulatory body, the NCC.
After South Africa secured the services of a former United States Attorney General, Eric Holder, Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami was seconded by the Federal Government of Nigeria to hold brief for Nigeria when it was clear that MTN was not inclined to pay up.
Prior to these developments when it was obvious that MTN was playing cat-and-mouse with Nigeria by dealing with the Minister of Communications, ANEEJ called on President Buhari not to interfere with the process of resolving the dispute as it might lead to impunity and a weakening of the statutory powers of the NCC.
Unfortunately however, all the agencies of government saddled with representing the Nigerian case seem to be at loggerheads and working at cross purposes.
Rev Ugolor advised the Attorney General of Nigeria to as a matter of fact take a legal advisory role while NCC and the Ministry of Communication take a lead in all matters relating to the settlement of MTN fine.
“We are anxious that if this process of resolving the conflict between MTN and Nigeria is not properly managed, it is capable of derailing the payment of the fine and scuttling the entire process of resolving the dispute,” he said.
He noted that there were at present conflicting messages from the NCC, the Ministry of Communications and the office of the AG on the issue.
“These conflicting messages do not send the right signal and are capable of undermining the regulatory power of NCC. We call on these bodies to work together to resolve issues related with the MTN fine,” Ugolor added.
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