Govt seals six firms over alleged tax evasion

Govt seals six firms over alleged tax evasion, seeks public participation in project delivery

LAGOS State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) on Thursday sealed up six companies for non remittance of taxes due to the state government totaling over N50million.
The defaulting companies are: Nicon Town Management Company with a tax liability of N36,053,652.89; Marketing Mix and Company Limited with a liability of N10,712,914.15; Hope Valley International Clinic with a liability of 2,389,885.28; BEC Consultants Nigeria Limited with a tax liability of N792,563.47; Goldmine Global Services Limited owing
N505,812.73 and Brown Brommel Limited with a liability of N368,159.63. They all owed the State government money for periods ranging from one to five years (2007 to 2012).
Executive Chairman of LIRS, Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, yesterday, said the companies were sealed in pursuant to the provisions of Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act 2004 LFN (as amended in 2011) and would not be re-opened for business until all unremitted taxes are paid to the State government.
Ogunsanwo warned defaulting companies, especially employers of labour that governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has zero tolerance for tax evasion, adding that LIRS is set to begin criminal prosecution of all tax defaulters in Lagos State to ensure that culprits are made to face the full wrath of the law.
In a related development, the need to engage the public in budget implementation and project delivery to ensure good governance was the thrust of discussion at the “2016 Budget Consultative Forum,” organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Secretariat, last week.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Kadiri Abayomi, while listing regular payment of taxes, patronage of public facilities and infrastructures and to ensure their protection as the role of citizen in engendering good governance, said the most important role is monitoring of ongoing government projects and reporting any observed lapses to the appropriate government agencies.
The Permanent Secretary mentioned that the year 2015 Budget funded some major ongoing infrastructural projects and new initiatives such as the Light Rail Project, expansion of Mile 12 to Ikorodu Road, which he noted was nearing completion, Adiyan Water Plant Phase II, amongst other major projects.
The governor believes that no matter how much is expended on physical infrastructure, without a renewed mindset of maintenance and collective ownership through enlightenment, such huge investment will be undermined,” he said. Abayomi therefore, appealed to all participants at the forum which included Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), traditional rulers, civil society groups, youths, market leaders, artisans and members of the public to cooperate with government in all her programmes and policy initiatives to jointly rebuild Lagos.

He, however, thanked those who have continued to express their unalloyed support to the Lagos State Government by performing their civic duties; stressing that these voluntarily compliant taxpayers are seen as partners in progress, who through the prompt payment of their taxes empower the State governor to actualize his developmental agenda of infrastructural renewal, sustainable, habitable and safe environment, multi modal transportation network, qualitative healthcare, education, agricultural development and an investment friendly environment amongst others.
He said the law is clear on issues bordering on tax evasion just as he reiterated that the LIRS will continue to take full advantage of the provisions of the law to prosecute recalcitrant corporate organizations and individuals without further notice.

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