WARRI/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has vowed to continue to enforce relevant tax laws in the State, and advised residents and business owners to do the needful by paying their taxes and filing the mandatory Annual Income Tax Returns as applicable to all business entities operating within the state.
Speaking to newsmen in Warri at the end of the enforcement exercise of the Judgment of the Revenue Court, Sapele Judicial Division against 21 business entities who defaulted on their tax obligations, the Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Sir Monday John Onyeme, reiterated government’s resolve to ensure that citizens perform their civic obligation of paying their taxes when due.
The Chairman, represented by the Revenue Board’s Director of Enforcement and Compliance, Mr. Joel Ogege, stated that the regular enforcement exercises were not punitive in nature, but part of government’s responsibility of creating awareness on tax payment among citizens, as well as ensuring that taxes due to government for developmental purposes are collected. Explaining further, he maintained that business entities operating in the state are required by law to file their Annual Income Tax Returns, with the Board, for the directors of the companies as well as their employees, at the end of each year.
The Enforcement team which comprised Court Bailiffs, Security Operatives and Staff of the Board, sealed up business premises in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area. Those affected were Wembley Guest House; Di-Lounge Hotel, Regent Ville Hotel, as well as Rivotel Hotel and Golf Resort, all in Abraka.
According to Mr. Ogege, others affected by the Court Judgments, and which would be sealed in the next phase of the enforcement exercise include: Joe’s Town Oil & Gas Ltd, Rectitude Hotel, Hotel De Buovo, Pinnacle Guest House, Marios International Gas Concepts Limited, Magopsim Nigeria Limited, Jessa Global Oil Limited, Abifa Oil Limited, Wise Dominion Venture and Buovo Petroleum, all in Abraka. Others mentioned are Aleakwe Services Nigeria Limited; Sokob Oil Limited, Eku, Aried Oil Nigeria Limited, Eku – Salubi Road, Charobar Global Ent. Ltd, Salubi, Precious Pride, Okpara-Inland, as well as M & T Petroleum, and Savaron Petroleum Services Ltd both at Oviorie-Ovu.
