Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang,
By Anietie Akpan
Cross River State Government has raised the alarm over revenue leakages in the state.
A statement dated July 31, by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, warned that “both erring Revenue Agents and complicit Taxpayers will face penalties for non-compliance”.
It said, the state government, “has observed with dismay the unwholesome practices by some TaxPayers that indulge in paying government revenues into unauthorised Individual and Corporate Accounts or the exchange of physical cash for Government Official Services, Fines or Levies.
“Government strongly condemns this act as it is at variance with its Financial Rules and Regulations which are still operational in the State”.
The statement further said, “it is very instructive to note that these unwholesome practices have continued unabated in spite of concerted efforts by the Cross River Internal Revenue Service to block revenue leakages and checkmate these unhealthy trends.
“In the light of the foregoing, Government hereby advises all Taxpayers to protect their interests by ensuring that all payments are made exclusively into designated Government Revenue Accounts domiciled in different Banks across the State.
“Government also directs all Taxpaying Individuals, Corporate Organisations, Companies and Groups to comply with this revenue payment directives, warning that both erring Revenue Agents and complicit Taxpayers will face penalties for non-compliance”.
Government thanked and appreciated all complying Revenue Agents and Individual TaxPayers for doing the right thing by paying their taxes into Government designated Revenue Accounts and further implores all concerned to be vigilant always to report any erring Tax Agent or Individual to the Cross River Internal Revenue Service.
By this notice, all Revenue Consultants in the State are directed to report to the Cross River Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS) Headquarters, New State Secretariat Complex, Calabar for further briefing.
For more information on the Government designated Revenue Bank Accounts please contact CRIRS Help Desk.
