Lawmakers in Nigeria especially members of the House of Representatives committee on Communications have expressed their displeasure over the unilateral decision of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to slam fine on MTN; they also expressed concerns over the controversial way the commission reduced the fine slammed on the network.
The legislators said the process was flawed. According to them, the National Assembly which is constitutionally saddled with the power to effect the fine was excluded from the exercise. They added that the process that led to the reduction of the $5.2 billion fine was not satisfactory.
It regretted that the fine as well as the accompanying error in the multiple reductions had dealt a huge blow to the country’s image in the comity of nations with move already being greeted with uncomplimentary remarks at international fora. The Committee was mandated by the House to investigate the current impasse in the telecommunication sector.
Saheed Fijabi (APC, Oyo), committee chairman who expressed dismay over the “erroneous fine reduction,” said the development was an embarrassment to the country.
“Our observers may presume that we, as a nation either have no rules of engagement with regards to business operations or if we do, we may lack sincerity in our operations. It is embarrassing for instance to listen to what the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) had to say concerning the present impasse.
“It is equally appalling to observe the conflict in figures with regards to the reduction of the fine and discussions making rounds concerning the action or inaction of the National Assembly,” said Fijabi.
