AIRS chairman warns on prompt payment of taxes

By Calis Mbadugha, Onitsha

The chairman/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue Service, AIRS, Chief Greg Ezeilo, has warned on the need for prompt payment of taxes to enable the State Government executive projects earmarked for the betterment of the  state 

Sounding the note of warning while fielding questions from newsmen in his office at Awka, State capital, he stated that the board under his watch would not tolerate any form of tax evasion by any person or group of persons adding that the present road rehabilitation in the state, improvement on education that included employment of initial 5,000 teachers and  extra 3,000 teachers, employment of medical personnel, free education from primary one to post primary three, among others, gulped the state government a whopping sum.

He also cited the provision of seedlings to farmers and provision of start up funds to thousands of residents through the 'One youth two skills initiative of the state Government

He made this known while also reacting to a protest embarked upon last week by members  of the Water Tanker Drivers Association, at Idemili axis, in demonstration of their grievances over enforcement of tax payment by a government approved revenue contractor, Happi Wendi Concept, owned by Hon Joe Awkuzu.

Ezeilo who confirmed that Happi Wendi Concept was duly registered and approved to collect and remit taxes to the state coffers, advised the drivers to comply with the directive or risk facing the wrath of the state government.

Recall that Hon. Awkuzu, the contractor, had on several meetings with the water tanker drivers stressed the need for them to pay their taxes as at when due.

"I listened carefully to their responses and fashioned out how best to come about the payment so that we synergize with them to move the state forward," the contractor further explained.