PROPOSED COMMUNICATION SERVICE TAX BILL 2015 (part 2)

PROPOSED COMMUNICATION SERVICE TAX BILL 2015 (part 2)

At the inception of the GSM, Nigerians became exploited and cheated. SIM cards were expensive and difficultto afford due to the fact only two telecom industries MTN and ECONET (nowAIRTEL)  rendered services. The irony of this wonderful package was that Nigerians had no idea as to what extent they were being exploited. They just bought SIM cards and mobile devices on a high rate basis either for calls made or sent text messages. I recall then that it used to be 40 kobo or 50 kobo then. It was at the height of the exploitation by both telecom networks that Glo mobile came on board. The company sold its SIMcards for as low as N1000 which MTN and ECONET sold for between N10000 andN30000. In addition, Globalcom mobile company rendered, quality and affordable services which attracted huge customers thus, forcing its counterparts to make their services affordable. Call charges dropped from 40kobo to 29kobo and thento 15 kobo per second.

Indeed Nigeria has a long way in the history of telecommunications. Now, with the advent of the internet on mobile devices and computer systems, consumers pay less.  Even though data plans seem quite expensivethe cost of GSM services has drastically reduced. The proposed law is obnoxious because it is capable of preventing the common man from using the safest and cost-free means of communication_ the internet. The internet has opened up avenues for people to make a living as far as they are highly computer literate. People have been transformed from rags to riches, raised from grass to grace. Why then, would the law-makers come up with an oppressive bill to throw half the populace into poverty and deprivation?

Second, students in the Ivory Towers will be the worst hit. The management and senate o f higher institutions will be compelled to increase the school fees from the normal amount. Students acrossall institutions pay ICT fees among other fees charged. Hence the school fees will be charged at a high rate making it difficult for students to learn.

In addition, millions of Nigerians would be largely affected in that they would be unable to have access to the internet. Unemployment and mass retrenchment would result. Companies and organizations will be forced to downsize their staff especially where they are unable to pay salaries and allowances. So, the sponsors of this bill do not mean well for consumers who are writhing in pains as a result of the harsh economic situation in the country. It is like pouring salt in injury instead of thinking out solutions to alleviate the plight of the citizens. The bill has afiscal motive_ to generate revenue for the government. When considered on a balanced scale, the effects are better imagined than experienced hence the need to vehemently oppose its passage.

 reporting: GWD