The ball is in MTN’s court, says new minister

As the Monday deadline for MTN to pay the N1.0tr fine draws near, the new minister of communications has said the ball is in the court of the telecoms giant, maintaining that there was no plan to chase them out of the country.

Adebayo Shittu, who assumed office on Wednesday, told Reuters that there was no movement in the reported negotiations.

“There is nothing before me,” he said.

“If any new thing would happen, there must be initiative from concerned quarters. It is up to MTN.”

MTN was fined for failing to disconnect 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards, but it is negotiating for a reduction in the fine.

“Nobody wants MTN to die. Nobody wants MTN to shut down,” Shittu said.

“A judgment has been given, as it were, and the period for enforcement has not yet passed.”

Asked about the consequences of non-payment, Shittu said the law would be followed.

He did not give details but insisted: “We don’t want them to leave.”