TUC urges suspension of communication tax bill

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to suspend the proposed communication service tax which seeks to impose nine percent additional tax on phone users in Nigeria if it becomes law. The President of TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, and Acting General-Secretary, Comrade Simeso Amachree, in a […]

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to suspend the proposed communication service tax which seeks to impose nine percent additional tax on phone users in Nigeria if it becomes law.
The President of TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, and Acting General-Secretary, Comrade Simeso Amachree, in a statement, said the suspension was necessary because Nigerians were overburdened with multiple taxes. It also faulted the decision of the federal government on the proposed target of  N20 billion monthly  as communication tax to cushion some of the country’s economic challenges and fund budget deficits. It said the development was not well thought out given the growing level of unemployment and inability of states to pay the N18,000 minimum wage.
It said government  should  focus on ensuring more judicious use of revenue derived  from value added tax (VAT), Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE), stamp duties, vehicle license, passport fees, Customs duty, petroleum profit tax (PPT) and other taxes collected from the masses and companies.