Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) has sealed the network facilities of two telecommunications company, the Globacom Nigeria Limited and Airtel networks Limited for their refusal to remit tax liabilities worth over N360 million to the state government since 2017.
The Director of Legal Services and Enforcement, Barrister Saidu Isah Okino who was represented by the head of enforcement department of the revenue service, Alhaji Abubakar Obori, led the team to seal the facilities of the two companies at the Mount Patti Hill in Lokoja and other part of the state.
According to him, the two companies; Globacom Nigeria ltd and Airtel Networks ltd have deliberately refused to meet their tax obligations to the tune of N360,035,000.00, lamenting that they have constantly evaded the fulfillment of such civic duty to the state government.
Giving the breakdown of the taxes owed by the two telecommunication companies, Okino disclosed that Globacom Nigeria Ltd, Kogi State alone owed the state government unremitted tax liabilities that had accumulated to Three Hundred Million Naira (300,000,000), both Corporate, Individual and Social Service Contribution Levy (SSCL) covering from year 2017 to 2021.
He added that Airtel Networks Ltd, Kogi State also defaults on the Social Service Contribution Levy, and on Corporate and individual tax liabilities to the tune of Sixty Million and Thirty Five Thousand Naira (N60,035,000.00).
“The Service has written several letters to the management of the companies to pacify them to pay the taxes they owe the Kogi state government but they have never shown any sign of commitment.
“The sealing of the sites and properties was at the instance of a High Court Order sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, and until they pay their tax liabilities, the Service will not unseal the sites located at the Mount Patti, and across Kogi State” he said.
Okino however called on other defaulters to pay their outstanding tax liabilities to avoid sealing of their business facilities by the Service, stressing that tax enforcement procedures is a continuous exercise.
