The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has called on the government to tackle the issue of double taxation within the telecoms sector.
During a visit to the House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunication, Mr. Tony Emekpe, the president of ATCON, highlighted the impact of multiple taxation, emphasizing that it hinders business operations and affects funds earmarked for network expansion.
Emekpe stressed the need for continuous network expansion and upgrades as technology advances, underscoring the unceasing demands of the telecom industry. He emphasized the implications of taxation on investment and urged for strategic collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to bridge the infrastructure funding gap by offering accessible low-cost intervention funds for rapid mobile infrastructure development nationwide.
Furthermore, he advocated for a marginal increase in tariffs, citing the dated nature of the current tariffs being utilized by telecom operators in Nigeria.
In response, the Chairman of the House Committee on Telecommunication, Mr. Peter Akpatason, expressed the committee’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the sector, particularly focusing on the local content issue. Acknowledging ATCON’s significant contribution to the nation’s GDP, he emphasized the importance of collaboration between the legislature and the private sector to drive growth and innovation in the telecom sector.
Furthermore, Akpatason outlined the committee’s vision to forge a strong relationship with regulators and critical stakeholders, with plans to organize a Legislative-Regulator-Stakeholders’ Forum aimed at enhancing the committee’s understanding of the telecom sector’s challenges, goals, and aspirations.
He also disclosed plans for a forthcoming colloquium before the year-end, aimed at gathering experts to address topical issues affecting the telecom sector and encouraging collaborative problem-solving.
The engagements between ATCON and the House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunication demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing industry challenges and ensuring sustainable growth and development within Nigeria’s telecom sector.
