This, according to MTN Nigeria’s Company Secretary, Uto
Ukpana, was done to support the government’s revenue drive.
Ukpana, in a letter to the Nigeria Exchange (NGX) on Monday,
said it was important to clarify erroneous media reports alleging that the company
has outstanding tax obligations to the Nigerian Government.
He said, “When asked this earlier this year, the company
agreed to make advance tax payment ahead of the established deadline to support
government’s revenue drive.
“This was also the case in 2020 when in response to the FIRS
appeal to support the government, MTN Nigeria made an early payment of its 2019
Company Income Tax (CIT) of N46.9 billion.
On the alleged indebtedness, Ukpana noted that in a letter
dated January 8, 2020, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation
(OAGF) officially transferred the matter of MTN’s alleged indebtedness to the
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for
resolution.
He said, as with previous requests of similar nature, MTN
had been happy to cooperate with the authority, providing evidence to
demonstrate full compliance and that discussions were ongoing.
He said MTN remained committed to conducting its business in
accordance with applicable laws, and that it was dedicated to contributing to
the social and economic development of Nigeria.