The Itu Local Government Revenue Consultants have purportedly accused the two largest construction companies in Akwa Ibom State of failing to pay tenement rates and other taxes for a two–year period.
In a show of protest against the two-year delay in payment, the revenue authorities on Wednesday suspended operations at both businesses and parked vehicles in front of the major entrances.Infomation Guide Nigeria
The revenue officials, who stormed the Julius Berger at 12:30 pm, drove a Hilux and parked across the main gate, restricting all vehicular movements into the premises for more than three hours. They then moved on to the Dangote cement depot, a short distance away, where they also carried out similar action for about 30 minutes.
He said,
“We are here because of tax evasion that has been committed by Julius Berger and Dangote Cement. In 2020 because of COVID
–19, the council in itS wisdom granted waiver, but in 2021, there was a demand notice that was served to them.
“Before the demand notice was served the council employed the services of an estate valuer, who was assisted by a surveyor and they went around the whole place for valuation and assessment.
“Thereafter, we gave them demand notices based on the assessed amount and besides this, there were other levies and fees that accrued to the council which was also assessed on them.
“We came here severally, we served demand notices and followed up with a reminder and they gave deaf ears. Based on this the council chairman in his peaceful disposition reported the issue to the police commissioner who invited them for a brief but they refused to attend. The invitation was served twice but none of them turned up.
“It is based on this that we decided to come here today, to tell the whole world that Julius Berger and Dangote Cement Depot, have been evading taxes and levies in Akwa Ibom state.”
Our correspondent gathered that none of Julius Berger
’s representatives came out to address the revenue officials except for the security officials who hid their identities because they were not authorized to speak.
The development resulted in a clash between the officials and the security officers as they hauled abusive insults against themselves.
At the premises of Dangote Depot, however, the Inventory Officer, who identified himself as Abubakar Sani, pleaded with the revenue officials to wait for the depot manager, whom he said had gone out for an official engagement, adding that he was not aware of the claim that they had been coming to the company but didn’t get any result.
Jamb Result“I have always been here and if you have been coming here as you have said there is no way the security will not allow you into the yard. I don’t know anything pertaining to what you are saying because the person who is supposed to attend to you is not here. You can come back to see him,” Sani pleaded.
