By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has described the sealing of its headquarters in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) as unnecessary and embarrassing.
Speaking on the matter, Mr Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, the Special Assistant on Media to the NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Nsima Ekere, said the state government officials sealed the building when his agency had already commenced payment of the alleged tax default.
“It is surprising that even though we have begun paying these arrears dating back to 2013, which the current board inherited, we still have to deal with this little impasse,” he said.
Over the past two years, the current board has paid all the commission’s tax obligations when due,” Mr Amu-Nnadi disclosed.
“About two weeks ago, the commission met with the tax enforcement team and started negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues. We understand there is a court order. But, it is important for us to state that the commission, as a responsible corporate organisation, had begun to attend to all obligations as agreed.
“Last week, the commission paid the first tranche. They will receive the next tranche this week. This is a sign of goodwill and commitment on the side of the commission to meet these obligations,” he explained.
But the RIRS Director, Mr Manson Endeboh, who led the enforcement team, confirmed that the agency had made some payments, but stressed that it came after they approached the court for an ex parte order to seal the office.
He disclosed that the tax office sealed gates of the NDDC headquarters for allegedly owing the Rivers State government withholding tax.
