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.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
