The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appealed to
states and local government councils across the country to cut taxes imposed on
telecom companies, saying excessive taxation would be counter-productive to the
growth of the industry.
Its Executive Vice Chairman, (EVC) Dr Aminu Wada Maida
lamented that with between 50 to 55 percent taxes already imposed on telecom
operators, it would be difficult to
attract foreign investments into the sector in line with President Bola Tinubu’s
directive to the NCC.
According to Dr. Maida, the NCC management has decided to
embark on nationwide advocacy to appeal to states and local governments as well
as other stakeholders on the need to reduce levies they imposed, especially the
Right of Way (RoW) charges and other multiple taxes.
Dr Maida made the remarks yesterday at the Digital Economy
Complex, Mbora, Abuja, during an
interactive session with ICT reporters and those from the National Assembly.
"We are going to be going on an advocacy campaign to see
how we can convince the states to remove some of these obstacles like Right of
Way and multiple taxations because I have seen some studies which indicates
taxation is almost 50 per cent getting to 55 per cent in some areas in this
country.
"And you would agree with me that if we are trying to
bring in foreign investment that is not a good picture to paint," the NCC
boss said.
He appealed to states to consider the long-term benefits that
would come to them if they allow massive investments in the sector as jobs
opportunities would be created alongside other value chains in the sector.
He also disclosed that the dispute between the two telecom
giants, MTN Nigeria and Globacom Network would be resolved amicably soon as the
Commission is more interested in a level playing ground for all stakeholders.
He said the Commission has developed a Strategic Vision based
on five pillars to drive the telecom industry and ensure that it continued to
contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country as expected.
The EVC acknowledged the challenges associated with quality
of services (QoS) from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Services
Providers (ISPs), saying the Commission would adopt "a total consumer
experience" to address the challenges.
He also advised consumers complaining about data depletion to
look inwards as most of the problems had to do with the types of handsets they
are using coupled with the services available and the digital services they
enjoyed without considering cost implications.
He said: "Our approach will thus be to walk towards the
expectations of these stakeholders, and everything for me starts with the
consumer and the expectation of the consumer is very simple - quality of
service.
"I don’t think you can say anything more than that. On quality of service, we are talking about a
total consumer experience not just about drop calls or I can’t make a call.
"There is a total quality of experience right from how you
find and select the right network to use, how you onboard onto that network
talking about SIM registration process, process of linking your SIM to your NIN
and of course after you have gone through all of that when you are using it,
how easy is it for you to select a tariff, how transparent is the tariff, how
are you supported by the entire host, how do you onboard from the network,
these are important."
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