NCC boss intervenes, secures MTN N221m waiver in Kano

Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has intervened in an issue, resulting in a waiver of N221million in a case between MTN Nigeria and the Kano State government.

Daily Times recalled that Danbatta carried out a similar intervention with Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun State last year, which resulted in unsealing of 47 base stations placed under lock and key, and further reduced ground rent fee owed by IHS Towers from N370 million to N120 million.

Some staff of Huawei, it was gathered that were working on telecommunication infrastructure expansion in Kano state on behalf of the MTN Nigeria, were arrested by the officials of government’s agency, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KANUPDA), which led to a halt to the project.

Danbatta’s appeal to the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje resulted to the government giving a waiver on the permit fee of N221million for deployment of fibre infrastructure in that state.

The NCC boss had earlier highlighted theeconomic advantages that the state stands to gain from deployment of more telecommunication infrastructure and the challenges millions of service subscribers would face if the work was further delayed.

However, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, KANUPDA, Arch Bashir Mudi Adamu in a letter signed and addressed to MTN said the waiver of permit fees was granted in respect of two federal roads, Zaria Road and Maiduguri Road in the state.

The intervention form part of key component of the 8-point agenda unveiled last year by the NCC boss, which is a strategic collaboration and partnership with other relevant agencies and stakeholders.