N780bn fine: NCC gives MTN Dec 31 ultimatum

THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that the December 31, 2015 deadline given to MTN Nigeria to pay its N780bn fine imposed on the telecom company for violating the regulatory body’s directive on SIM deactivation remains sacrosanct.

 The NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Garba Dambatta, made the declaration on Sunday in Kano while speaking during a reception organised by members of his community in Dambatta Local Government Area of Kano on his new appointment According to him, MTN must meet the payment deadline and the telecommunication outfit must know that by the ending of this year, the fine must have been paid.

The NCC had recently made clarification on the initial 35 per cent reduction from the N1.4tr fine amounting to N647 billion.

 He, however, stated that the actual reduction approved by the Presidency was 25 per cent, which amounts to N780 billion for the company’s inability to deactivate 5.2 million SIM cards.

 Prof.Dambatta further explained that the intervention of the Presidency necessitated the reduction He disclosed that the fine would send a signal to other telecommunication companies on the need to respect the rules and regulations of the commission or face the consequence.

 He pledged that the commission under his watch would initiate fresh ideas that would enhance more mobile penetration and eventually improve quality service delivery of its stakeholders.

The event was graced by many dignitaries from within and outside the state.