In drive to shore up its internally generated revenue, Governor Peter Mbah led Enugu State Government has sealed ShopRite, Spar and other malls for alleged non-remittances of purchase tax in their malls to the government.
Other malls and businesses closed include – Roban Stores, Mama Onyinye restaurant among others.
The State Internal Revenue Service (ESiRS), enforcement team which carried out the shutting down of the malls and stores on Tuesday morning, stated that affect businesses had been served several warning notices.
Addressing journalists on the drive, the ESIRS HOD eateries, bars, hotels, and shopping malls, Egwuonwu Perpetual said the agency has visited the sealed malls and businesses on several occasions to request for the purchase tax but they failed to remit such.
She added they have also pleaded with the concerned individuals to be remitting their taxes when due, but “have been recalcitrant and till now they have not done anything concerning these instructions.”
“It is worthy of note that after we met with the Roban store they displayed our sticker and have complied with remitting their purchase tax to the IRS. On the other hand, ShopRite has frustrated all our efforts to get them to do the needful.
“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,” she said.
Egwuonwu stressed that the malls would remain closed until the issues at hand are resolved.
Speaking to journalists on the incident, the spokesperson for the service, Nnamdi Eneh explained that the agency had gone on air to enlighten and educate the people on the need to remit their 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.
“The objective here is not to disrupt anybody’s business but since pleading did not work, this is the only way to compel them to do what they are supposed to do.”
