By Olamide Francis
Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) has said that it would not tolerate tax evasion by oil companies operating in the state, as strategy has been mapped out to hold them to remit taxes so that target of N46b could be realised in 2021.
Addressing newsmen in Uyo at the weekend to unfold strategy for revenue generation in 2021, the Chairman of the Revenue Board, Mr Okon Okon decried attitude of some oil firms operating in the state for refusing to pay taxes as required by law.
“We are aware of tax evasion by oil companies doing business in the state. But this year, we would open our eyes on them to ensure the state collect appropriate tax from this them. Our Internal Revenue Target in 2021 is N46b and we must realise this within the year.”
Although he did not disclosed the strategy to compel oil firms to pay their taxes to the state, he insisted that the time when oil firms fly into the state oilfields, execute business and escape without paying their taxes was over.
Okon explained that though the previous year was a difficult one as it was characterised by the global downturn in the economy, occasioned by the COVID-19 infections, the service was able to stay above board in terms of meeting it set targets.
He expressed appreciation to the governor, Udom Emmanuel and the state House of Assembly for granting full autonomy to the service, adding that sustaining the tempo of the IGR and full autonomy requires effective strategy and strategic focus.
“On the brighter side, the approval of the implementation of the full autonomy of AKIRS effective January 1, 2021 by the governor, a new paradigm shift is defined for us. I thanked the governor for granting us this autonomy.”
He said the approval has energised the revenue board to increase the drive to improve the state revenue generating base for better funding of the state budget.