South African telecommunications firm, MTN has explained that the severance of the 280 workers in Nigeria was a fallout of MTN’s Voluntary Severance Scheme designed to balance individual employee needs with business exigencies.

This was revealed in statement yesterday by the Public Relations and Protocol Manager, Corporate Services Division, Funso Aina, who described the exercise, as being voluntary.

According  to the firm, the scheme was designed, drawing on feedback from employees and following consultation with elected employee representatives.

The statement read in part: “It provides a financial incentive and opportunity for employees who have worked with MTN for over five years to pursue other career interests and personal ambitions full-time, while increasing opportunities for professionals with a fresh perspective wishing to join the MTN family.”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday summoned the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta over alleged non-compliance to rules and regulations by telecommunications outfits.

Chairman of the House ad-hoc committee in charge of the probe, Ahmed Abdul said Danbatta must appear before his panel to explain issues relating to irregularities in the employment status and conditions of service of Nigerians working in telecom outfits in the country.

NCC’s Head of Public Affairs, Tony Orono, who appeared before the lawmakers at the start of the committee’s hearing explained that Danbatta would not be available during the week because of official engagement.

The committee’s mandate includes ensuring whether the condition of service of Nigerians is same as their foreign counterparts, assessing the companies’ tax compliance status and examine the procedure used by the NCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria in approving funds transfers for these firms.The committee is to report back to the House in four weeks for further legislative action.