Kogi state government has thrown its weight behind the internal revenue service in the ongoing tax dispute between the service and a telecommunication company in the state, Globacom.
The state government made its position known in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday by the State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, saying the telecommunications giant “cannot choose which law to obey”.
“The Kogi State Internal Revenue Service has our full backing in its efforts at ensuring both Globacom and Airtel pay their taxes.
“As a government, we shall continue to provide the necessary services to the people and maintain a good relationship with corporate organizations. We owe corporate organizations our best in ensuring they conduct their businesses in an environment that guarantees security and growth.
“However, we will not accept a situation where a . corporate organisation will refuse to pay taxes due to the state and instead of facing the reality, resort to damaging media campaign against the state government.
“The telecommunications companies have not been fair to our state. MTN has proven to be responsible by clearing up its liabilities. We urge both Glo and Airtel to follow suit”.
Fanwo said the state government will henceforth ensure that businesses in the state take their responsibilities serious to reciprocate the good gesture of government.
“As international business organisations, Globacom and Airtel should show more understanding and responsibilities by paying up their taxes.
“We are fully behind the state revenue service in its determination to employ all available legal windows in getting what all businesses owe the state in taxes.
“KGIRS is charged with improving our tax revenue without imposing new taxes. To achieve this, we need to spread our dragnet in ensuring that more individuals and corporate organizations who evade taxes get to pay and pay what is right and legal”.
The state image-maker also said the people of the state can see clearly where their taxes are going into with the massive infrastructural development covering roads, health, education and other sectors of the economy in the state.
