… Calls for Its Complete Cancellation

Association of Telephones, Cable Tv & Internet Subscribers of Nigeria with over 223 million telecom subscribers membership across 36 states within the six geo political zone in Nigeria, National President, Hon. Sina Bilesanmi has accorded kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for asking the Central Bank of Nigeria to put on-hold, implementation of Cyber Security Levy, Bilesanmi stated this at the weekend in Lagos.

The ATCIS National President also urged the President to outrightly cancel the implementing the levy at all, because in implementing it, it would still fall back on the subscribers.

Prince Bilesanmi further urged the Presidency to review many taxes being paid by the telecom Operator firms in order not to over burden the Telco sectors.

According to the ATCIS National President, CBN even failed to carry stakeholders along before implementation of such levy, especially the Association of Telephone Cable TV And Internet Subscribers of Nigeria, we were not told neither were we carried along, we only read on pages of newspapers, Bilesanmi said.

ATCIS as an association moves closely and consults strongly with the corridor of power.

The advocacy body believe CBN might have good program for Nigerians but CBN failed in carrying necessary stakeholders along in order for the masses to know benefits of implementing the Levy on them, ‘we knew government can’t do it alone’, that’s why very soon ATCIS, the only leading telecom subscriber advocacy body ready for courtesy visit to partner and collaborates with ALTON, NIMC, CBN, FIRS and other available government ministry or agency.

The body therefore, calls for proper orientation, more enlightenment, collaboration with ATCIS and other relevant stakeholders.

It would be noted, the House of Representatives on Thursday, May 9, directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately halt the implementation of the cybercrime levy introduced by the apex bank in compliance with the provisions of the cybercrime Act.

The House said the circular by the apex bank was prone to misinterpretation by Nigerians as it negates the spirit and letters of section 44(2a) of the cybercrime Act which specify those who are expected to pay the levy.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance moved by Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) on behalf of the entire members, the House asked the Central Bank to immediately withdraw it’s earlier circular on the implementation of the levy and issue another circular in love with the provisions of the Act.

Chinda said section 44(2a) of the cybercrime act *listed those to pay the stipulated fees as GSM and telecom companies, Internet providers, Banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies and Stocks Exchange.*

The President is sensitive to what Nigerians feel. And he will not want to proceed with implementing a policy that adds to the burden of the people.

“So, he has asked the CBN to hold off on that policy and ordered a review. I would have said he ordered the CBN, but that is not appropriate because the CBN is autonomous. But he has asked the CBN to hold off on it and review things again.”

These discrepancies prompted the President to order a review.

“If you look at it, the law predates the Tinubu administration. It was enacted in 2015 and signed by Goodluck Jonathan. It is only being implemented now.

“You know he (Tinubu) was not around when that directive was being circulated. And he does not want to present his government as being insensitive. As it is now, the CBN has held off the instruction to banks to start charging people. So, the President is sensitive. His goal is not to just tax Nigerians like that. That is not his intention. So, he has ordered a review of that law.”

ATCIS has spent 825 million naira plus till today 13th May 2024, basically on advocate for the right to people according to our financial report, through donation from members, loans and support

ATCIS’s influence and connection as a leading body in consumer advocacy has afforded our members employment opportunities at various firms across the country. With nine hundred and ninety-one(991) newspaper publications in local, international and online news media as of 13th May, 2024 and presence in twenty (20) National Television and Radio stations for an Interview Program on every Wednesday of the week tagged “Advocacy Know Your Rights As Telecoms Subscribers from Network Operators and service providers” the body is well poised to executive its core purpose of consumer protection with significant progress and various reforms with a credit of three hundred and forty-one (341) successful programs and achievements for the betterment of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers across the Nigeria to her name.