Delta Internal Revenue Board vows to deal with tax evaders

By: Omonigho Matthew
From: Warri

Delta State Board of Internal Revenue has reiterated its preparedness to deal decisively with any act of non-compliance with the provisions of extant tax laws and regulations guiding its operations with the full weight of the law.

In a speech delivered at the Tax awareness golf tournament for oil companies in Delta State, Chairman of the board, Mr. Joel Onowakpor noted that there are some leakages in tax payment system in respect of some oil companies. He declared that there is a problem getting expatriates working offshore into the tax bracket.

Mr. Joel Onowakpor added that there is need to get expatriates working in oil rigs/platforms into the tax net as well as getting all employers operate PAYEE (pay as you earn) pointing out that oil workers in Shell and Chevron pay their taxes outside Delta State.

The Board of Internal Revenue helmsman posited that it is important for oil companies to monitor closely the activities of their contractors to ensure that appropriate deductions and remittances are made as transparency on the part of their contractors will facilitate effective investigation and audit from the tax authority. The event according to him, is a continuation of massive tax awareness campaign embarked upon by the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue.

Speaking in the same vein, Captain of the Shell Golf Club, Ogunu, Engr. Asa Pokima spoke of the need to protect Nigeria through the payment of our taxes. He used the opportunity to call on oil firms as well as stakeholders who are not meeting up on their tax responsibility to cultivate the habit of paying their taxes as a way of moving the state and Nigeria forward.

Engr. Asa Pokima said the idea behind the tax awareness golf tournament for workers of oil companies in the state is to relate with the Golfers who are mainly captains of industries as a way of appreciating those who have been responding positively to paying their tax.

Golfers who participated in the tournament include those from Ibori Golf Club, Shell Golf Club, Ogunu and Sapele Golf Club.

The event which lasted several hours had in attendance Mr. Shola Mese, CEO, FBI Security, High Chief Frank Uteri, the Eni of Isoko land, Chief Francis Ighoraye, Ebiri Cyril, Mr. Joseph Aloede, Barr. Isaac Ifedi, Secretary, Board of Internal Revenue, Engr. Gbesimi Akperi and a host of others.

High point of the event was the presentation of prizes to winners in the game.