"So far so good," MTN’s Eli Hini briefs media about early days of ID card before MoMo transaction

Eli Hini, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for MTN-Mobile Money Limited

Eli Hini, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for MTN-Mobile Money Limited says the introduction of the identity card (ID) before Momo transactions were carried out on the platform had made the system safer and secure.

Addressing the media in a virtual meeting Tuesday afternoon, Mr Hini said the result has been impressive so far.

He noted that MTN agents and merchants across the country have largely complied with the new directive.

The CEO however mentioned that some agents had failed to comply and have had their accounts blocked, adding that they would have to ascertain reasons for their non-compliance.

PUNITIVE MEASURES:

Mr. Hini said agents who had failed to comply would be investigated and sanctions meted out to them.

For now, he noted that those who have been found to have misconducted themselves and had their accounts blocked would have access to their funds between Tuesday and Thursday.

He hinted that these agents would be made to sign a commitment or bond to indicate their readiness to comply with the new directive on the Momo platform as agents before they would be allowed to operate again.

The CEO stated that second-time offenders would not get the opportunity to work on the Momo platform again if they flout the new directive of ensuring they inspect and document ID card details used by customers to carry out transactions.

SECURITY:

Mr Hini said MTN was committed to securing the Momo platform and to completely eliminate the activities of fraudsters.

The ID card introduction, the CEO observed, had brought additional security which would eventually save vendors of accusations of aiding fraudsters since every transaction on the platform would be traced through the details documented.

Every ID used in carrying out Momo transactions, Mr Hini said can be traced on the national database once details are entered.

He stressed that no operator or agent would be allowed to derail the progress so far made by the introduction of the identity card validation process.