By Udeme Hosea
Following multiple levies on traders in rural markets and unnecessary dragging by non state actors within the state, the Akwa Ibom State Board of Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) has said that a scheme is underway to minimize the activities of non-state actors.
The Board Chairman, Mr Okon Okon, who disclosed this in a media parley last week, immediately after the Board meeting in his office, said some of the monies collected at local markets in the State are not taxes, because they do not go into the government purse, but are levies paid by traders to the non-state actors.
“Some of the monies people collect are not taxes. Levies like usin ubok at Ishiet market and other local markets are collected by the non-state actors, they do not go into the state government account”.
Mr Okon reiterated the readiness of the executive Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Pastor Umo Eno, to create an enabling business environment by ensuring that multiple taxation is reduced, stressing that the desire of the Governor is to have a business-friendly state.
While applauding Pastor Umo Eno on the bill to reduce multiple taxation, which is underway, he called on tax defaulters and companies operating in the state to pay their tax liabilities.
While explaining why the Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service sealed off two banks few weeks ago, Okon hinted that the two banks that were involved ignored the call for meeting and did not pay their taxes.
He further announced that the affected banks have been opened temporarily.
Speaking more on the revenue environment in the state, he expressed dissatisfaction over non-compliance in terms of payment of taxes by some oil companies operating in the high sea, saying the state is working on a strategy to explore the blue economy to increase the State’s internally generated revenue, although constrained by limitation of the federal government in the maritime sector.
He further added that the State Internal Revenue Service has commenced the procedure to penetrate the informal sector and has provided equipments required to ensure their tax goes directly to the state account.