Following the recent suspension of five per cent excise duty on telecoms operations across networks by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said it has commenced discussions with the appropriate authorities, for the outright removal of the 5 five per cent excise duty on telecoms operations. Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who revealed this in Lagos said although the telecoms industry remained appreciative to President Tinubu for the suspension of the 5 per cent duty, it became necessary to push for its complete removal because it would be inimical to telecoms growth in the country.
Danbatta said: “When the previous government attempted to introduce five per cent excise duty on telecommunications services, we objected to it and listed 41 levies and charges imposed by various governments on telecoms services, and as of today, the number has risen to 46. Such levies and charges are duplicated across states, amounting to double taxation on the part of telecoms operations. “It was a shock to industry stakeholders when the same levy resurfaced after there was a presidential pronouncement by the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government for its suspension.
