Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has narrated his role in the suspension of the proposed five percent tax on calls and data.
At the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Committee on Excise Duty for the Digital Economy Sector, in Abuja on Monday, Pantami announced suspension of the proposed excise duty.
The minister said the president decided to suspend the taxation after a petition he wrote explaining that the decision will put more hardship on citizens and have a negative impact on the economy.
“Recently, it was announced that government officials have kickstarted the process of introducing excise duty in the telecommunication sector. Based on the constitution of Nigeria, and being the representative of President Buhari in the sector, I rejected that wholeheartedly on the 2nd August 2022. I explained to President Muhammadu Buhari in my letter that could serve as a petition that we are not in support of.”
