Fides Media Living the Faith
. . . Asks New Companies to Register Within 6 Months of Operation
By Abuchi Onwumelu
The Anambra State Government through the Anambra Internal Revenue Service, AIRS, has commenced enforcement on various private Owned businesses for tax evasion in the state to the tune of over six hundred million naira.
The exercise which took place at various locations in the state, including Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, and environs, went with an enforcement team of the establishment’s staff, the police and civil defence corps.
The Internal Revenue Service was armed with a court order from the State High Court, empowering it to seal off the various locations till they comply.
Some of the sealed locations included Suburd Consortium, producers of pre-paid meters in Awka. They owe over five hundred million naira from January 2011 to December 2016.
Eteleson Industries in Ogbunike owes over twenty one million naira, having evaded tax between 2010 and 2015; while Nelly New Town Hotels and Suites, Oba owes over 8 million naira.
Ejiamatu Microfinance Bank, Ojoto, which owes over 16 million naira. Some of their items were carted away by the AIRS.
Good News Academy, Ogidi and Divine Favour Pharmaceutical Company, Nkpor owe an outstanding of 700 thousand naira and over 5 million naira respectively between 2011 and 2016, and 2010 and 2015 respectively.
The enforcement team also visited and sealed off Delendu Aluminium Manufacturing Company, Onitsha, for evading tax to the tune of over eight million naira between 2016 and 2017.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, the chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service, Dr David Nzekwu, explained that the exercise was in line with the state government’s renewed drive to generate revenue as mandated by Governor Willie Obiano.
He said the Revenue Service always followed due legal process to help the citizenry pay their tax.
Dr Nzekwu, while stressing that it was expected of new companies to register within six months of operation and render their tax returns in respect of companies and individuals, pointed out that the tax laws were clearly spelt out, expressing optimism that more people would learn to pay their tax on their own.
He warned that any attempt to break the seal would be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the relevant sections of the law, as government would not hesitate to seal off defaulting establishments; be it hotels, schools, among others.
It will be recalled that Governor Willie Obiano during an IGR retreat two months ago, gave the Revenue Service a monthly target of five billion naira.