Delta Tax Board Seals 12 Firms, Schools

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Twelve companies, including oil and gas firms, hotels, supermarkets and schools in Warri have been sealed by the Delta Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR).

The affected organisations were closed by the tax board on Friday over tax liabilities ranging from N500,000 to N3 million.

Director of Enforcement and Compliance at the DBIR, Mr Joel Ogege, who led the team to seal the affected firms, explained that the action was taken because the organisations owed Personal Income Tax valued over N10 million.

He said the firms were given enough time to clear their bills, but failed to do so, leaving the tax agency to seal them.

“We were left with no option after the defaulters ignored several notices, including court orders to clear their bills,” Mr Ogege said.

Though he said his team encountered resistance at one company, the exercise, according to him, was largely successful.

However, he said the firm that restricted his men would be taken to court for harassing revenue officials.