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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Cross River Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS) has sealed off the premises of the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) and the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Calabar, over unpaid tax liabilities totalling more than ₦154 million.
The action followed repeated notices and engagements with the affected institutions to settle their outstanding tax obligations.
Director of Compliance and Tax Audit at the service, Ayi Okon, said the enforcement became necessary after several efforts to secure compliance failed.
According to him, the service is seeking to recover ₦53.5 million from the Cross River Basin Development Authority over withholding tax arrears covering the 2019 to 2021 assessment years.
“We are also seeking to recover ₦101.4 million from the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital over Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) and withholding tax liabilities covering the 2022 and 2023 tax years,” he said.
Director of Legal Services and Enforcement, Emmanuel Esirah, said the service remained committed to enforcing tax compliance without fear or favour.
He stressed that both public and private institutions were expected to comply with stipulated tax regulations.
Esirah warned that any unauthorised attempt to break into the sealed premises would attract stiff penalties.
He, however, clarified that clinical and medical services at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital were not disrupted.
“Only the offices of the Chief Medical Director, the Accounts Department and the Administrative Block were sealed off during the enforcement exercise,” he stated.
