News
Tax Defaulters: RIRS Begins Enforcement Of Court Order On Banks
The Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS), has commenced an enforcement of a court order against some commercial banks in Port Harcourt, for withholding information on tax paid to their depositors.
The enforcement code named: “Search and Seize”, disrupted commercial activities temporarily in four commercial banks in Port Harcourt.
The Executive Chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Onene Osila Obele-Oshoko, who spoke to newsmen during the exercise, also threatened legal action against defaulting companies and commercial banks.
Oshoko said that the court order, which was secured on 14th of September, 2015, empowered the agency to search and seize properties of the affected financial institutions.
She also said that apart from the court order, the agency was also empowered by section 53, of the Personal Income Tax Act 2011 as amended.
The RIRS Executive Chairman said that the affected financial institutions have failed to honour several letters written to them since September 2014, seeking for documents on withholding tax for account holders in their respective banks, adding that it was against this background that the agency secured a court order to embark on the search and seize exercise.
Oshoko further said that, the situation would ensure that the Rivers State Government is not short-changed by companies operating in the state in the payment of their taxes.
She said that the agency was determined to ensure the compliance with all relevant laws by corporate organizations on issues of taxes, stressing that this will also go a long way to improve the revenue base of the state.
The RIRS Chairman further said that, the agency will sustain its on-going sensitisation programme with a view to ensuring that no corporate organisation or financial institution will claim ignorance on its financial obligations in the state.
The two-day exercise, however, led to temporary disruption of activities at the four commercial banks affected by the exercise.
The banks are located at Aba Road, Olu Obasanajo Road and Trans/Amadi.
Meanwhile, some staff of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) yesterday escaped death by the whiskers when their vehicles were shot at by fleeing armed robbers.
The incident took place around Nwaja junction, close to Nkpogu in the Trans Amadi Industrial Layout area of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
The RIRS staff had encountered the robbers at the Nwaja Junction shortly after leaving Keystone Bank located in the area where they had gone to enforce a court order.
Eyewitness account informed The Tide that, the robbers, who were fleeing from Elekahia area ran into traffic Jam at the Nwaja Junction and started shooting sporadically to scare people away, and to create space for their escape.
Although no member of the RIRS team was injured in the incident, an elderly man, who stood by during the incident, was not lucky, as he was hit by a stray bullet.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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