By Adekunle Aliyu
Port Harcourt—In furtherance of its objective to transform the state to a model society founded on accountability,  Rivers state government has commenced a comprehensive tax verification exercise through the internal revenue service.

The exercise which started June 1, 2009, will last till the end of the month, where all corporate organizations, enterprises and individuals operating and resident in the state are expected to reverify all tax payments made in favour of the state government spanning the past five years.

According to the notice signed by Mrs. Alaliba Christy Dokubo, Acting Chairman of the state Inland Revenue Service, the verification exercise will hold from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday at the multipurpose hall of the Civic Center, Port Harcourt.

In pursuance of the verification exercise, the Internal Revenue Service will be issuing a business identification number to all re-certified tax payers in the state which will form the basis of business transactions in the state and serve as interim clearance certificate in preparation for the state-wide enumeration exercise.

Rivers state, according to sources, is embarking on a transformation programme that will change the face of the state in various areas such as health, sewage, education and road, thus the government plans to embark on state- wide enumeration exercise in July 2009.