Determined to improve its revenue generation, the Niger State Internal Revenue Service (NIRS), has clamped down on Banks sealing branches of 8 commercial banks and regional office of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), in Minna over none payment of taxes.
The entrances of the affected Banks were seen under locked and key with chained and padlock by the official of the State Internal Revenue Service.
Mohammed Madami Etsu, chairman of the service in Niger State, disclosed that the sealed Banks were indebted to the state to tune of about N456 million.
“We have been foot dragging the issues for some months now. It is time for action against banks and business with liabilities are also in line for the same enforcement actions” he said.
He maintained that the exercise was carried out in line with the relevants tax law.
The affected Banks, according to Madami Etsu, include Stanbic IBTC (N43.2m), Polaris (N74.1), UBA (N68.9m), Union Bank (N47.1m), First Bank (N45.7m) Heritage Bank, (N31.5N), Unity Bank (N14m), GTB (N8.2m),Others include AEDC PLC (N45.8m) Aloe Vera International Hotel (N3.9m) and Rasheeda Restaurant (N3.2m).
However, some of the Banks officials who spoke to Journalists on condition of anonymity described the state Revenue Service as an act of Impunity.
“It is a gross impunity as the penalty is non-existent. The applied penalty applicable is payable by corporate customers to the Federal Revenue Service (FIRS), on its report
The Banks, according to another official of one of the affected bank said they will collectively meet to explore the other options of instituting court action to see to the resolution of the problem. “or we may have to embark on industrial action as the next line of action”.
