Fire Guts FIRS Headquarters in Abuja

By Uche Mbah

Early morning inferno Monday engulfed the headquarters of the Federal Inland Revenue Service in Abuja. According to reports from the tax office, the fire started in the canteen of the complex and spread out, but was contained by the Abuja Fire service. Officials say the fire service was on hand to quench the fire.

They also said that investigations are already set up to probe the fire.

Although some critics are skeptical about the fire, going by precedents where alleged arsonists act to cover up crimes, officials, barring further discoveries by the investigating committee, believe that the fire is entirely an accident.

A viral video shows the fire service working to put out the fire while onlookers watched.

It is not clear, however, whether sensitive materials were affected.

The presidency is depending on the FIRS to fund the 2020 budget. Last year the service could only meet about 50% of their projected target, and the boss, Babatunde Fowler, is under pressure to deliver.

Sources even said his job might be on the line if he does not live up to expectations this time.

Analysts  believe this was the reason for the taxes being levied on virtually everything.

Fowler, who was appointed on August 20, 2015, is expected to have  ceased to hold office as Chairman of the FIRS after August 20, 2019 in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court and having regard to the combined provisions of Sections 3(2) (a), Section 4(a) and Section 11 (a) of the agency.

Recently, a lawyer took the government to court over his continued occupation of the seat.