The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has shut down about nineteen companies in three states of the federation over unpaid taxes. The operation took place across three states namely Lagos, Rivers and Delta.
In Warri, Delta State, over six establishments were sealed off on Monday. Some of the companies that were affected in the city include- West African Pumping Service, Bridge View Hotel, Golden Tulip Hotel, and Sam-Pira International Limited, etc.
On Tuesday, an FIRS team led by Mrs. Anita Erinne sealed off at least three companies in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The companies are- Octopus Clan Nigeria Limited, DSV Pipetronix Limited, and Red Transport Logistics. These companies owe ₦198,775,513.55, ₦99,814,873 and ₦1,918,764,246
Meanwhile, between Tuesday and Wednesday, the FIRS team also closed down about seven companies in Lagos. Some of the affected companies are- Seabulk Offshore Operations Nigeria Limited which owes about ₦34.546m and De Rembrandt Hotel which owes ₦34.60m.
Others include associated Port and Marine Development Company (₦12.5m), Kunoch Limited (₦34.3m), Jinhua Group (N3.1bn), Anisha Enterprises (₦24m), and Citeco Global (₦99m).
The affected companies, some of which have owed taxes since 2014, were advised to pay their taxes to avoid further sanctions.
We are not punishing you. Once you comply with payments, we will come and unseal -Mrs. Anita Erinne
The Federal Inland Revenue Service is a Federal Government agency which was initially established as a colonial tax organisation under the name Inland Revenue Department of Anglophone West Africa. The department’s scope of administration covered Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Gambia.
In 1943, the Nigerian Inland Revenue Department was carved out of the Inland Revenue Department of Anglophone West Africa and established as an autonomous body under the supervision of the Commissioner of Income Tax.
