By Akpokona Omafuaire, Warri
The Delta State Government is considering engaging the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, in the recovery of the over N29billion owed it by 135 companies operating in the state.

Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, DBIR, has   said on Thursday that the companies which evaded various forms of taxes were however given two weeks to pay the debt or face the consequences of the law.

Joel-Onowakpo while speaking at a press briefing, carpeted some banks which failed to remit to government coffer, after collecting taxes on behalf of the board.

He, however said that a team of investigators has been put in place to investigate the activities of these banks that have remained adamant in spite of efforts by the Board to get them complied.

According to him, a lot of companies in the state avoided paying taxes, adding that the board was not going to tolerate the situation.

Joel-Onohwakpo  noted that the state government in its determination for an increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR,  would leave no stone unturned in recovering what is due it.

The Chairman disclosed that some of the defaulters had gone ahead to obtain court injunction restraining the board from taking action against them.

He stated that the board had equally taken steps to curtail the slippery tactics of the defaulters, stressing that “the law allows us to take criminal charges against the defaulting companies”.
Meanwhile, the board has issued 4,875 demand notices on ground rent to property developers in the state.

Joel-Onowakpo stated that the notices amounted to excess of N2Billion accruable to the state government.
The law on ground rent which has been in the cooler in the state since the promulgation of the land use decree in 1978, makes all property owners as tenants to government.

The Chairman said, it was high the Board starts strict implementation of the law as government is losing revenue that supposed to be generated from there the full weight of the law must be applied to defaulter.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Sir Patrick Ferife has said that it amount to a criminal act should property owners failed to pay the rent-to government.

“If in 3 months the holder of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) defaults in payment of such rent, the certificate could be revoked or government re-enter the land, Ferife said.