The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria [ATCON] has declined to comment on whether MTN Nigeria should pay the $3. 9 billion fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission [NCC] or refuse to pay.
Mr. Olusola Teniola, President of ATCON, said in Lagos yesterday that he has ‘No Comment’ on the issue of payment of the fine.
Rather, he said the official position of ATCON is for continous consultation and dialogue between the NCC and MTN Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders to settle the matter amicably.
“Our position is that consultation and dialogue are crucial in resolving all contending issues. ATCON supports our members to operate optimally and we also have our Code of Conduct guiding our members.”
Teniola lamented that most rich Nigerians do not invest in the Information & Communications Technology [ICT] sector in the country.
He said the sector is being driven largely by foreign investment, rather than local funds.
He listed some of the challenges facing the sector as multiple taxation, multiple regulation and foreign exchange hiccups.
He appealed to the Federal Government to declare the ICT industry as priority area in terms of accessing forex at official rate to support robust growth of the sector.