Rivers Warns Against Fake Revenue Agents

The Rivers State Com
missioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Bright Jacob, has advised businessmen operating in the state to always send trusted staff members in their official dealings with the ministry.
The commissioner who gave the advice at a public function in Port Harcourt recently said investigation had shown that in various occasions, some agents representing companies were behind fraudulent practices in terms of revenue payment and registration of businesses.
Jacob while reacting to allegations by some members of the private sector businessmen on high rate of business registration and multiple taxation explained that while the official rate for registration of small businesses in the state charged by the ministry remains N12,000, findings have shown that agents representing the companies lure ministry staff to increase the rate so that the agents would keep the difference to themselves.
He noted that by so doing agents end up duping the companies they represent and cause image problems to the ministry.
He also stressed that most business operators did not like paying taxes and that in a bid to follow the short cut, they fall victim to fraudulent tax agents.
Jacob said the present administration under Governor Nyesom Wike was passionate over encouraging private business operators and would sustain its friendly disposition.
According to him, the issue of multiple taxation was being addressed by the government under a blueprint that is being worked out, assuring that soon, the government would unveil the new tax blueprint.
He stated further that the doggedness to fight crime in the state, provision of infrastrastructure, especially massive road construction were all aimed at providing condusive environment for businessmen to operate.

Chris Oluoh & Thessalonica Amangoli