Breaking: Government ‘shuts down Glo, Airtel facilities over N360 million debt’

The Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) says it has sealed off the facilities of Globacom and Airtel for defaulting to remit over N360 million tax liabilities.

Saidu Okino, KGSIRS’ director of legal services and Enforcement, led a team of enforcement officers to seal off the facilities located on Mount Patti in Lokoja and across the state.

Mr Okino, represented by the head of the enforcement department of the revenue service, Abubakar Obori, lamented the recalcitrant posture of the two telecom companies for refusing to meet their tax obligations to the state.

“It’s very unfortunate that both firms have consistently evaded the fulfilment of their obligations to the state and have accumulated liabilities to the tune of N360,035,000.00,” noted Mr Okino. “By our records, Globacom Nigeria Ltd., Kogi State, unremitted tax liabilities run into N300,000,000, while that of Airtel is N60,035,000. These liabilities of the two defaulting firms cover both corporate, individual, Social Service Contribution Levy (SSCL) from 2017 to 2021.”

Mr Okino further revealed “several letters” were written to the two companies to “pacify them to pay the taxes they owe” the Kogi government, “but they have never shown any sign of commitment.”

He stated that shutting down the sites and properties of the telecom firms was at the instance of a court order.

Mr Okino warned other companies operating in the state to always pay their outstanding tax liabilities to avoid the wrath of the law.

He explained that the revenue service would not hesitate to seal off their business facilities as tax enforcement procedures remain a continuous exercise.

(NAN)