News
Rivers IRS Shuts NDDC Over Tax Evasion
Officials of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS), yesterday barricaded the main entrance gate of the corporate headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, grounding the operations of the commission.
The Tide gathered that the action, which took several ours, was a follow up on a demand notice by RIRS, earlier served to the authorities of NDDC, demand outstanding withholding taxes, yet to be remitted to the Rivers State Government. Head of the State Internal Revenue Service Enforcement Team, Mr Manson Endeboh who spoke with newsmen during the action, disclosed that the authorities of the NDDC had remained impregnable over the tax default.
He said: “We were here yesterday to demand withholding taxes deducted by NDDC from vendors and consultants without remittance to the Rivers State Government, but officials of the Department of State Security and other security personnels, prevailed on us. Unfortunately, the authorities of the NDDC have refused to pay the taxes, despite the claims that approval has been made”.
Endeboh further regretted the fact that the NDDC management has refused to open their books to know the exact amount owed which he said accrue to “hundreds of millions of naira”.
He explained that NDDC vendors came to the RIRS office to demand credit notes, on the assumption that the withholding and personal income taxes have been remitted to the Rivers State Government but regretted that the taxes were still outstanding, there years after.
He dismissed insinuations that the action will lead to a collision between Rivers State and the Federal Government, and urged the authorities of NDDC not to use such notions as a rue to cover up their tax default.
“This has nothing to do with Federal Government, we have a responsibility as tax collectors to demand what is due the Rivers State Government. The NDDC should keep to their words and stop making unfulfilled promises.”
He said the action will continue until NDDC comply accordingly.
Effort to get the reaction of the NDDC authorites on the issue was however fruitless, as there was no response to the several calls put across to the public affairs unit.
Taneh Beemene
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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