MTN Nigeria had last week paid $250 million in “good faith” as part of the $3,4 billion fine imposed on it by the NCC and also withdrew a lawsuit it instituted against the country’s telecoms industry regulator.
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Nigeria believes Boko Haram militants use unregistered sim cards to co-ordinate attacks.
He said that this would be his first time to speak on the issue as the President of Nigeria.
He said, “We are happy that the bilateral economic relations between the two countries have significantly improved in the last 16 years as evidenced by the growing bilateral trade figures and investments”.
The MTN fine is the most recent sign of tension between the two countries that vie for economic and political dominance in Africa.
The Senate President commended the South African leader for visiting, stressing that “the visit bears eloquent testimony on the critical importance you attach rightly to the role of legislature and the place for deliberation where we can, through engagement, settle difference, find agreements and enhance our mutual interest development and democracy”.
Writing in the Johannesburg-based Daily Maverick, Allison said there is a very low chance South African special forces will be involved directly in fighting against Boko Haram.
South Africa President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Nigeria for a state visit.
In September, the company was named as most-admired brand in Africa in the Brand Africa 100 awards, beating Samsung, while it was also awarded the continent’s most valuable brand, worth $4.6bn.
However, President Buhari said Nigeria was not concerned about the money, but the security implication of MTN’s failure to disconnect unregistered lines.
Mr. Zuma said South Africa could assist Nigeria in the areas of solid mineral exploration and electricity generation. “So in diversifying the economy I think that there is a great room for improvement which is for the better”.
“We need to take into consideration the need to be sensitive to new environmental dynamics such as those of global warming and alternative energy sources”.
The Leadership newspaper said Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachikwu disclosed the federal government’s plans to end the importation of petrol within the next 18 months.
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“It is a demonstration of our friendship, solidarity and deep affection for the people of Africa”.
