The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Wednesday continued its tax enforcement exercise in Lagos, shutting down offices of companies owing a variety of taxes.
The FIRS enforcement, led by Mr. Umar Bukar Gana, visited the premises of Ace Products and Services situated at 20, Sanni Ashmiu Close, Awoyaya, Lagos, which has a tax debt of N157.3 million.
However, staff of the company refused to open the gates for the officials, despite properly identifying themselves as FIRS staff. The refusal to open the gates lasted about 15 minutes, after which policemen attached to the team forced the gates open for Gana to order company staff out of the premises for the company to be sealed.
The team also visited Globasure Technology Limited at 10, Ashabi Adewale Close, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The company is indebted to the tune of N36.5 million, accumulated between 2007 and 2014 assessment years.
The company’s Managing Director admitted that the organisation was owing, but an unspecified amount he claimed was below what the FIRS said it was owing. He appealed to the team for more time, blaming the failure to pay on the harsh economic situation in the country. His plea was, however, ignored and the company was shut.
On Tuesday, the FIRS had sealed Diplomat Hotel located at 1, Shonnyway, Shonibare Estate, Maryland, Lagos, which is owing N35.1 million, accumulated over the last four years. The hotel’s Customer Care Manager said they were “concerned about the debt”.
The same day, the team closed the premises of Island Power Limited, a power generating firm owing N132.5 million from 2012 to 2014. The company’s administrative department was shut, leaving the power plant because of the essential service it provides. But at Conservative Estimate Limited, situated at 15, Fatai Irawo Way, Papa Ajao, Lagos, they met the premises under lock and key, as it allegedly relocated four months back.
The warrant of distraint showed that the company is owing N15.8 million.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the FIRS team, led by Mrs. Anita Erinne, also on Tuesday, shut the premises of Universal Insurance, which has a tax debt of N82.1 million. Also shut were the premises of Groundscan Services Limited, which is indebted to the tune of N22.6 million.