The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, has rejected the imposition of five per cent tax on the telecom sector.
Speaking in Lagos at the ongoing forum organised by the Nigeria Office for Developing the indigenous Telecom Sector (NODITS), an agency domiciled in the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), the Minister faulted the timing and process of imposing the tax on the industry.
He argued that part of the responsibility of responsive government is not to increase the problems of the citizens.
He said he is not in support of excise duty.
He said: “I have not been contacted officially. If we are, we surely will state our case. The sector that contributes to the economy should be encouraged. You introduce excise duty to discourage luxury goods like alcohol.
“Broadband is a necessity. If u look at it carefully the sector contributes two per cent excise duty, 7.5 per cent VAT to the economy and you want to add, more.”
He said more hardship at this time cannot be tolerated.
He urged the tax masters to expand the scope of other sectors that are not contributing to the economy to do so.
“We must come together and salvage the sector. Only telecom sector contributed 13per cent and you want to add more,” he wondered.
Pantami faulted the lawmaking process that produced the harsh tax because it didn’t involve the chairman of House communications Committee.