Nigerian operators decry multiple taxation

Nigeria’s telecom operators have decried the enforcement of multiple taxation by government, saying it inhibits the growth of the telecommunication sector and affects their operations.

According to Nigerian publication This Day, telecom representatives met last week in Abuja to discuss the challenges facing their industry. The industry faces a number of challenges including the shortage of electricity and lack of IT skils in the country.

The president of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Emmanuel Ekwem, noted that the sector would perform better if these challenges were tackled urgently.

According to the Minister of state for information and Communications, Labaran Maku, taxes would not be withdrawn. “There is need to pay tax for the government to be able to provide the enabling environment that will enhance the growth of the telecom sector. Tax must be paid. The issues of quality of service and portability of numbers, have been the priority of the Federal Government”, he replied.

The Nigerian Communication Comission (NCC) is still awaiting a substantive Executive Vice Chairman, after Ernest Ndukwe ended his mandate at the beginning of April this year. Ndukwe handed over his position to senior executive commissioner Stephen Adedayo Bello, who became the new acting Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC.