Enugu IRS cracks down on tax defaulters, shuts down businesses

Enugu government says it sealed corporate institutions, including schools, hotels and consulting firms in different parts of Enugu, over alleged tax evasion.

Emmanuel Nnamani, chairman of the state Internal Revenue Service (IRS), spoke during a press briefing on the operations of the service on Friday.

Nnamani said the agency sealed 16 businesses adding that the decision was taken due to alleged refusal by the owners and management of the businesses to respond to the government’s repeated reminder letters.

“We had written to them severally but they thought it was business as usual,” Nnamani said.

“So, we approached the court, and the court gave us authority to seal the premises.

“Those who pay tax in Enugu state are not up to 10 percent. We are losing huge amounts of money to tax defaulters every month.”

The state IRS boss said the companies and businesses in Enugu since 2015, had not paid taxes, amounting to several millions of naira, to the state.

He said this was the reason people did not see any reason to pay taxes under the current administration.

According to Nnamani, the current government is determined to provide amenities for the people, using the internally generated revenue that is not forthcoming.

“The government recently flagged off the construction of 71 roads in the state capital, among several others, and we need money to execute all these projects,” he said.

“If people do not pay their taxes, where do we get the required money to execute such people-oriented projects?

“I want our people to understand this and cooperate with us, in the interest of the state.

Nnamani said tax is a contribution by citizens and residents toward the development of society.

He said people should join hands with the government to develop the state by paying their taxes, regularly.

“I can assure you that at the end of this administration, Enugu state will not be the same again,” Nnamani said.

He said Peter Mbah-led administration had achieved over 200 percent service delivery in the past seven months.