Nigerian telecommunication consumers under the aegis of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers have said the move by the Federal Government to increase the total consumption tax on telecom services to 12.5 per cent is irresponsible and ill-timed.
According to the association, Nigerians are already suffering as a result of harsh economic conditions and another tax on telecom subscribers will further impoverish many especially as telecom services are essential to everyone.
The Federal Government had on Thursday announce plans to implement a five per cent excise duty tax on telecoms services at a stakeholders’ forum on the implementation of excise duty on telecommunications services in Nigeria.
The Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, stated this at the forum which was organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The Executive Secretary, ALTON, Mr Gbolahan Awonuga, added that the five per cent excise duty was unhealthy for the telecoms industry as telecom service providers already pay two per cent of their annual revenue to the NCC.
According to the president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Ikechukwu Nnamani who was quoted when he represented by the executive secretary, ATCON, Ajibola Alude at a forum, the five percent excise duty on telecom services could lead to job losses.