MTN Nigeria is 20! The name invokes lots of memory in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.
As you are recounting the memories may we inform you that MTN, the mobile network operator in Nigeria with the largest subscriber base, has commenced discussions with the Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria to take over the Enugu-Onitsha expressway rehabilitation.
Karl Toriola MTN Nigeria CEO, disclosed this in the company’s unaudited results for the half-year ended 30 June 2021.
“We intend to participate in the restoration and refurbishment of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway”, Karl Toriola MTN Nigeria CEO, said this is part of efforts by the company to support the government and in commemoration of 20th anniversary of MTN’s presence in Nigeria.
According to this Nairametrics report, the Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a memo for the revision of the contract for a section of the 100km Enugu-Onitsha highway.
The 100km road project estimated at N46.069 billion will be fully funded by MTN Nigeria under Government’s Road Infrastructure Tax Credit (RITC) Scheme under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).
MTN’s intervention would come as welcome relief to motorists plying that route, as the reconstruction and rehabilitation project which had commenced in 2009 has been marred by several setbacks and delays.
Speaking on MTN’s contributions to Nigeria’s economy, the CEO said, “As we celebrate this milestone, we are pleased to announce that our Board of Directors has approved our participation in the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit (RITC) Scheme.
“This is in response to Government’s drive towards public-private partnerships in the rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure in Nigeria.
“We intend to participate in the restoration and refurbishment of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. Conversations in this regard have already commenced, and further announcements will be made in due course,” he said.
Toriola said that in line with MTN Nigeria’s desire to plant deeper and more permanent roots in Nigeria, they have also initiated plans to commission a purpose-built, state of the art MTN Head Office, designed to act as a central hub for the network, a catalyst for creativity and innovation, and a showcase for the flexible working structures that are driving efficiency gains in this new normal working environment.
“Aligned with our wider commitment to environmental sustainability, it will meet the highest global environmental standards, demonstrating the role of green technology in our future”, he said.
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