Amidst several outcries over the proposed new five per cent tax on the telecoms sector, ADEYEMI ADEPETUN, in this report, examines the danger of imposing more taxes on the industry.
This is said to pose a significant risk to the growth of the services among citizens, limiting the widely acknowledged social and economic benefits associated with the telecommunications sector. Already, the Federal Government through the Budget Office has revealed that it will begin the implementation of the proposed excise duties on telecommunication services and others in 2023.
Pantami urged the tax masters to expand the scope of other sectors that are not contributing to the economy to do so. “We currently pay a lot of taxes, running over 39 of them, so we can’t add more to the existing burden. We won’t be able to absorb this on behalf of subscribers.”Different quarters in the sector believed strongly that should the new tax sail though, it will definitely erode some of the gains of the sector and affect the consumer-centric stance of the industry as being pushed by the NCC.
Aluko disclosed that tariff regulations and determinations are made by the commission in line with the provisions of Sections 4, 90, and 92 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which entrusts the NCC with the protection and promotion of the interests of subscribers against unfair practices, including but not limited to; matters relating to tariffs and charges. “Therefore, it won’t be out of place for the Minister of Finance to work with NCC on this matter,” he stated.
MacdonaldUkah The Nigerian government is not ready for that conversation. With all the bribery & kickbacks…It’s a long dusty road.