Business
NCC Insists On 2.5% Levy On Telecoms Operators
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it will not reduce the 2.5 percent on Annual Operating Levy being charged on telecommunications operators in the country because it is illogical.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr Eugene Juwah, stated this at the public inquiry on the levy regulations in Abuja, recently.
Juwah said the charge was a levy on the turnover of operators.
“It is the money that enables the commission to execute projects in the Universal Service Provider Forum and it used to run the regulatory office.
“I think the issue of decreasing the percentage of the levy will not be logical for now.
“ It is the money that sustains the regulators and the money is used to execute projects that the regulators do through the forum,” he said.
“NCC doesn’t get a kobo from government.’’
He said the regulations were aimed at creating and providing effective and efficient administration of annual operating levy regime that would specify the mode and method of assessment.
Juwah said the regulations would complement the commission’s Act of 2013 and various licences it issued.
According to him, the regulations will also remove any ambiguity existing in the levy and other fees and charges to be paid by operators.
Juwah said that the regulations would provide guiding standards and principles for a dynamic levy administration regime in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.
He said the forum was part of the commission’s rule-making effort to ensure wide consultation toward the enactment of regulations.
A representative of MTN, Mr Rashi Taiwo, called for an adjustment in the levy regulations on call roaming, interconnection and cost reduction.