We’ve injected over$16bn into Nigerian operations —MTN Group

LAGOS— Despite the challenges arising from the N330 billion fine imposed on it by Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, last year, MTN Group said, yesterday, it had so far injected over $16 billion in its operations in the country.Chairman/Chief Executive of MTN Group,Mr. Phuthuma Freedom Nhleko, disclosed this when he led a high level delegation to NCC headquarters in Abuja.Nhleko, who was received by the Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, of the commission, Prof Umar Danbatta, and his team, said the group had faith in Nigeria and would be willing to invest more in the sector in the years tocome.“We had challenges in the past, during the period of the fine, and weare grateful for the role the commission played towards an amicable resolution,” he said.Nhleko, whose visit to the NCC management was a valedictory one as he steps down as Group Chairman in March, said: “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 more spectrum allocation and a release of the one that belonged to Visafone, which equityshares MTN acquired in 2015.In his response, Prof. Danbatta said: “I like to state that our word is ourcovenant. 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.“If the dominant status isbecoming stringent, we are open to engagement,we will be guided by what is happening in the market to ensure the growth and developmentof the sector.“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 relaxingfiscal policies towards the sector to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, adding that the CBN governor was favorably disposed to request and further engagement, especially towards majorplayers who desired to import equipment to aid deployment of broadband infrastructureservices and others.