The Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu has said the plan to impose a 10 per cent tax on phone calls, text messages and data needs to be implemented for the growth of the telecommunications industry.

Shittu said this on Friday while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Osogbo, Osun State.

“We have a lot of deficiency in the provision of infrastructure in the telecommunication sector.

“And I believe that those who proposed the bill must have thought that government centrally relies on tax because without tax, government cannot operate,” he said.

The minister said the plan will be explained to Nigerians at a proposed workshop.

“We are proposing a workshop on the bill for all stakeholders in telecommunication services, operators and even ordinary man.

“I hope that at the appropriate time, when the figures are out, everybody will appreciate the need for such a tax in which at the end of the day will improve services and make everybody happy.

“Everybody is complaining every day over lack of quality and good services, drop calls and all of that.

“All these are caused by deficiency in infrastructure and Nigerians, I believe that we cannot shy away from what will provide government with resources to improve facilities,” Shittu said.