•We’ll assist Nigeria recover seized $15m arms fund – Zuma
From Juliana Taiwo- Obalonye, Kemi Yesufu and Fred Itua, Abuja
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has backed the $5.2 billion fine slammed on the MTN Group, accusing it of contributing to the casualty figure of about 10,000 Nigerians killed by Boko Haram sect between 2009 and now.
He said by selling unregistered SIM cards, telecommunication companies gave the terrorists the leeway to kill, hence, contributing to the casualty figure.
Buhari indicted the firm while answering a question during a joint Press conference he addressed with visiting South African President Jacob Zuma, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
Journalists had sought to know whether the issue of the fine slammed on the firm by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was discussed during a closed-door meeting and the decision reached on the matter.
Buhari, who noted he was speaking publicly on the matter for the first time, said the concern of his government was not about the penalty but on the security implication of the telecommunication firm’s alleged inaction.
According to him, because of the security aspect of the offence, his administration decided to leave the NCC, MTN Group and security agencies to sort the matter out in their own way.
The President described as unfortunate MTN’s decision to drag the government to court rather than negotiating payment.
He said the country’s Constitution stipulates that no further action should be taken on any issue that is a subject of litigation.
Buhari said now that MTN had decided to withdraw the case from court, it is free to go back to the relevant government agencies to see if the fine can be reduced and payment made in installments.
“The concern of the Federal Government was basically on the security and not the fine imposed on MTN.
“You know how the unregistered GSM (SIM cards) are being used by terrorists and between 2009 and today, at least 10,000 Nigerians were killed by Boko Haram.
“That was why the NCC asked MTN, Glo and the rest of them to register GSM subscribers.
Buhari said Nigeria will partner South Africa in its quest to diversify its economy. He said this because South Africa is ahead of Nigeria in the areas of agriculture and solid minerals.
According to Buhari, “you will recall that even before the elections, our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) realised the state we are in and we articulated three areas: security, economy and corruption and here, we identified the role we can improve rapidly on our relationship with South Africa.
“In terms of the economy, we identified agriculture and solid minerals to come to the fore quickly so that we get everybody who is unemployed employed. South Africa is far ahead of us in agriculture and solid minerals. So, in diversifying the economy, I think that there is a great room for improvement which is for the better,” Buhari said.
Meanwhile, Zuma said he would assist Nigeria in recovering the $15 million seized from some Nigerian top officials in Pretoria last year.
The money was part of the funds the Jonathan administration planned to use to procure weapons in fighting Boko Haram insurgency.
Zuma said relevant government agencies are still investigating the matter.
On the arms fund recovery, the South African President, however, gave an assurance that once the investigations are concluded, the right step would be taken.
He said: “With regards to the things that were either confiscated or went to South Africa, the two governments are working on those matters. The relevant structures are working on the recovery, but there are some that the necessary departments are doing the investigations
“We will appreciate it if we succeed in recovering all other things in South Africa so that they will be returned”, he said.
On last year’s Xenophobic attacks in his country, Zuma described the situation as sad. “It is unfortunate because all Africans are the same, but colonialists through borders have made them think that they are different, but we are the same Africans and that has been our view in addressing the issue of Xenophobia. We would want our people all over Africa to realise that we are the same and have the same interests,” he said.
As regards the losses incurred by Nigerians and other foreigners during the attacks, Zuma said relevant departments were handling them, once the victims could come forward with their claims.
Earlier at the National Assembly while addressing a joint session, Zuma, who is on a two-day visit, lauded Nigeria’s role in liberating South Africa from the apartheid regime.
Zuma singled out former Head of State, the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed, praising his 1976 speech, tagged: “Africa has come of age”.
His speech yesterday which lasted 42 minutes also dwelt on the Big Brother role Nigeria has continued to play within and outside Africa.
He said: “We are convinced that the relationship between the National Assembly in Nigeria and the Parliament in South Africa will grow. In 2015, people of Nigeria proved people wrong with the manner with which they conducted the elections. We are proud of you. You have chatted a new way which the entire continent needs to follow.
“This year marks the 40th anniversary of the passage of Murtala Mohammed. In his powerful speech to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1976, he said
“Africa has come of age and will no longer accept any dictate from any superpower”. Nigeria played a role and called for a national unity in South Africa. Mohammed took a firm decision to support South Africa.
“The people of Nigeria provided unwavering support to the people of South Africa and remained with us until we were freed. Nigeria was instrumental in supporting us in attaining our freedom and in the 1960s and in the 1970s, they remained supportive.
“Indeed, Nigeria has a special place in Africa. Nigeria volunteered to be part of a coalition that fought apartheid. Nigeria established South Africa Relief Fund to provide scholarship to South African students. Nigeria accepted South Africans into their universities.
“Nigeria also canvassed and planned a boycott of Commonwealth Games from 1976-1978. This history needs to be told to future generations. The bilateral relationship between the two countries has improved in the last few years.
Earlier, Senate President Bukola Saraki told Zuma that the National Assembly was also in the process of repealing some mundane laws to open up the investment space for foreigners.
“We must therefore as African leaders today forge a new path to greater African integration through the easing of trade restrictions, travel restrictions and better policy action towards inter African investment and support,” Saraki said.
In his closing remarks, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said with the war against corruption, foreign investors will begin to enjoy the dividends of their investments.
Dogara said: “We want the synergy between the two governments to translate to good relations between citizens of both countries. It is only then that Africa can experience accelerated growth and development.”