Imo Govt Goes Tough On Tax Evaders, Seal Defaulting Hotels In Owerri

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Acting Chairman of the Imo State Board of Internal Revenue Services IIRS, Remigius Okoye, has insisted that clamping down on some hotels and other tax defaulting outfits in the State ,remain the only option left.

The Source reports that at the weekend, about  eight high profile hotels and other business concerns  within the Owerri metropolis were sealed for alleged failure of their managements  to honour their statutory tax/rents obligations to the State .

The hotels that fell under the hammer of the State’s revenue collection agency include Hotel Arizona, Benconn Hotels Zeeworld Hotels and Zoey Ibis Royale .

Others were Lavianto Hotel ,Titanic View Hotel and suites and Heroes Luxury Apartment.

Owerri, the Imo State capital, is famous, particularly in the South East region, for playing host to several Middle and high brow hotels and others within the hospitality industry chain.

A substantial part of its annual Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, is derived from its robust hospitality industry.

Okoye, the IIRS Chief, said the hotels and other business premises that were sealed during its operations failed to pay their taxes, despite given enough room and notices.

He described the actions of the hoteliers and other defaulters as  inimical to the economic health of the state.

According to the IIRS Chairman ,before the debt management and enforcement team moved into action, several letters of reminder and warnings were served on the defaulters.

He warned that the revenue collection agency is poised to enforce strict adherence to the payments of all Government  statutory rents/ taxes.

Okoye maintained that the  ongoing enforcement  will not seize until maximum compliance level in tax collection is achieved.

While urging all taxable individuals and entities to be alive to their civic responsibilities, the IIRS boss also noted that the enforcement is aimed at shoring up the  internally generated revenue profile of the state for the purpose of effective service delivery by the Government.

“The IIRS warns that any establishment found to be evading payments of taxes will face severe sanctions, including sealing of business premises and prosecution. Okoye”, stated.