APC to FG: Take over MTN, other South African businesses in Nigeria

The All Progressives Congress has urged the Federal Government to nationalise all South African companies in the country.
This was part of the outcome of the meeting of the National Working Committee of the party held on Thursday in Abuja.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, said following the nonchalant attitude of the South African Government to the attack on Nigerians and other foreign nationals and their businesses in South Africa, the Federal Government of Nigeria should take over all businesses with South African interest in Nigeria.
Oshiomhole said: “We have discussed the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, particularly blacks, who are predominantly Nigerians.
“Having listened to all the explanations from the authority in South Africa, we have come to the conclusion that these people are not being accused of being illegal immigrants nor are they involved in any illegal activities.
“Those who have business permits to set up businesses, whatever business they are involved in, they are operating within the letters of the law.
“Over the last one year, virtually every week, Nigerians are being wasted in one part of South Africa or the other.
“We know that the government has had conversation with the South African authority, drawing their attention to these and other abuses that Nigerians have been subjected to.
“But the escalation of the attack on foreigners, which include Nigerians, has reached a level that is no longer tolerable.
“At one time, people wonder whether these attacks have the backing of the south African Government.
“What has been clear over the period is that the South African authority has not demonstrated sufficient commitment to bring these attacks to an end.
“In spite of the fact that the lives of many people have been wasted, not one South African is known to have been convicted ad sentenced to prison for their roles in the attack on foreigners, killing them and looting their businesses.
“We have been able to watch some of the comments on the recent attack, particularly the one that was made by a Deputy Minister of Police Affairs that not only endorsed the killing and looting of foreign businesses, but refers to the activities of those foreigners who are into legitimate businesses as tantamount to economic sabotage.
“As we speak, while the South African Government is envious of the small businesses which Nigerians are involved in South Africa, South African companies are making billions of dollars from Nigeria and repatriating same out of Nigeria.
“For example, MTN is making huge profit, including sometimes breaching our national laws.
“South Africans cannot be envious of small businesses over there, while their business giants are smiling to their foreign banks where they keep profit that they repatriate from Nigeria.
“We are aware that not too long ago, MTN was enlisted in the stock exchange and some Nigerians have bought shares from MTN.
“I think that in moments like this and to send a strong message to the South African authority and their people, it is worth it for the Nigerian Government to take over the remaining shares of MTN that are owned by South Africans so that MTN becomes fully Nigerian owned.
“While government thinks of how to deal with this, I think that in our individual capacities, this is the moment to show our commitment to our fellow citizens and show sympathy to those who have lost loved ones by boycotting South African goods and services, beginning with Nigerians refusing to use MTN services.
“Happily, we have indigenous networks like Glo, ntel and 9mobile.
“But if Nigerians decide, at least for the next 30 days as a first step, to stop using MTN, they would have sent a clear message and pay befitting tribute to the memory of those whose lives have been wasted in South Africa.
“This will be more elegant rather than our people going to the streets and throwing stones against fellow Nigerians and a life being lost in the process.
“This should also give us opportunity to reflect on why we should continue to allow DSTV to continue to repatriate millions of dollars to South Africa every year arising from their activities in Nigeria.”