The Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) has taken decisive action against tax evasion by sealing off popular shopping destinations, ShopRite and SPAR, along with other businesses for failing to remit purchase taxes to the government.
Following an enforcement drive, the ESIRS issued a statement on Tuesday morning, accusing the affected malls and stores of repeatedly neglecting to remit withholding purchase taxes despite receiving several warning notices.
According to Nnamdi Eneh, spokesperson for the service, Roban Stores and Mama Onyinye restaurant were also sealed for the same offense.
Eneh explained that the taxes being demanded from these businesses include purchase tax on goods that customers pay when they patronize these outlets.
Perpetual Egwuonwu, head of the ESIRS department overseeing eateries, bars, hotels, and shopping malls, emphasized the agency’s efforts to collect the outstanding taxes. She stated, “We have visited the sealed malls on several occasions to request the purchase tax, but they failed to remit such.”
Egwuonwu further noted that despite pleading with the concerned individuals to remit their taxes when due, they have been uncooperative. She added, “It is always one story or another. Eventually, they promised us that before the end of February, they would do something, but we are in March and the ESIRS have not heard from them.”
Egwuonwu stressed that the malls would remain closed until the issues at hand were resolved.
Meanwhile, Eneh clarified that the ESIRS had conducted public enlightenment programs to educate people on the importance of paying taxes. “Our public enlightenment program has been ongoing for a while now. We have been sensitizing the people and pleading with them to pay their taxes so as not to fall victim during enforcement, but most of them remained adamant.”
He reiterated that the objective was not to disrupt anybody’s business but to compel them to fulfill their tax obligations since pleading had proven ineffective.
The closure of these popular shopping destinations has raised concerns among residents, with many expressing disappointment over the situation. “It’s unfortunate that these malls have been sealed off. I hope they resolve the issues soon so we can continue shopping there,” said a resident who preferred to remain anonymous.
The Enugu State government has yet to release an official statement regarding the closure of the malls. However, it is expected that discussions between the government and the affected businesses will continue to find a resolution to the tax evasion issue.
As the enforcement drive continues, businesses across Enugu State are urged to comply with tax regulations to avoid facing similar consequences.
