Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has highlighted issues affecting operations of the telecom companies.
Executive vice-chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, during a courtesy visit to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, yesterday, lamented that the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, and a former Minister of Communications, which covered all the issues, was not adhered to.
He said apart from multiple taxation by states and local government councils, the telecom operators also suffered vandalism and pilfering of telecoms equipment, which hampered expansion of their networks.
Danbatta added that some of the government agencies across the country often threatened to shut down the firms’ Base Transceivers Stations over alleged refusal to comply with their tax regime.
He said, “There have been recurring cases of multiple taxation which threaten the operators and by extension telecommunications services.
“There have also been issues of Right of Way approvals to telecoms companies. Various tiers of government including local councils and state government agencies have created enormous challenges to the sector.
“The operators are in a dilemma. And because of this, expansion of the networks is heavily stifled.”
Speaking, Amosun thanked the NCC boss for his visit to the state.
He then promised to engage his colleagues on the need to harmonise taxes payable by telecom operators.
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