* Condemns media war .
Amidst the ongoing faceoff between some Telecommunications companies and the kogi state government, , Kogi state Internal Revenue Service KGIRS has described the Globacom telecommunications as notorious for tax evasion, as it was not interested in meeting its tax obligations.
The Acting chairman of kogi state Internal revenue service, Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, lampooned the telecoms giant in a press conference held on Wednesday in Lokoja.
The Chairman explained that his Organisation was in tax default battle with three major Telecoms companies ,saying, while the other companies responded by defraying their tax liabilities, Glo and Airtel refused to clear their liabilities.
He added that it was the tradition of the KGIRS to deal with individuals and Organisations and not with Associations of service providers , stressing that the contentious business premises tax , which is in court is entirely different from Social Service Contribution levy, SSCL which Globacom has deliberately failed to pay.
“Our several correspondences through demand notices to the defaulting telecom companies, particularly , globacom has refused to oblige.
” The said liabilities which include Globacom Nigeria defaulting at over three hundred million as unremitted tax overhang, both Corporate and individual, and on Social Service Contribution levy from 2017 through 2021 .
” Also Airtel Networks Limited default at sixty millions naira, both Corporate and individual tax liabilities. All these payments are to be paid by virtue of a law of the House of Assembly duly passed which allows KGIRS to collect the levies and fees on these premises.” He clarified.
The chairman decried the action of the Globacom and Airtel who instead of availing themselves with the windows created for negotiation , they flagrantly reneged on their tax liabilities and decided to launch press war against the state.
He assured the public that his Organisation has tremendous respect for rule of law and will not take any action that infringe on the rights of individuals and Corporate Organisations, adding that he maintains cordial relationship with Organisations to complement effort of state government in turning the state into investment destination.
While commending the MTN for the prompt payment of their tax liabilities, urged corporate Organisations operating in the state to reciprocate the effort of Government in creating enabling environment for their businesses by regular offsetting their tax liabilities.
It would be recalled that kogi state government has last week shut down Glo and airtel over non payment of their tax responsibilities.
