Why we ‘re shutting down businesses, by Imo govt

By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Imo State Government has said the on-going closure of some business concerns in parts of the  state by the State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) was not aimed at making them remit all taxes collected and withheld by them.

Special Adviser  to the Governor on Revenue Generation, Mobilization and Accounts Monitoring, Deacon Kerian Onwuzuruike, gave the explanation at a press conference in Owerri.

“Government is not out to destroy business concerns operating in the state. The managements of all the establishments should understand that they are government’s tax agents and have no business withholding taxes collected by them,” Onwuzuruike said.

He put all defaulting individuals and corporate organizations on notice that government will soon publish the first list of tax defaulters operating in the state.

“These are people and corporate organizations that use state facilities but bluntly refuse to pay. They are further informed that after publishing their names, their businesses and homes would be sealed up by BIR,” Onwuzuruike said.

He reiterated government’s determination to continue the process, adding that those who have not remitted their Pay-as-You-Earn (PAYE) should do so immediately or be prepared to face the consequences of their action.