C'River IRS Continues Clampdown On Illegal Revenue Roadblocks

... Charges Consultants to adhere to Ethical Tax Standards

By Ebi COLLINS 

The combined Enforcement Team made up of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service and security personnel, has apprehended thirteen suspects of illegal roadblocks and unauthorised levies at different locations in the Southern Senatorial District of the State. 

The suspects who were arrested at Ikang and Ekpri Ikang, Bakassi Local Government, Head Bridge and Anyanganse, Akpabuyo LGA and Mfamosing in Akamkpa LGAs respectively, are in police custody for further investigation pending charge. 

This unpremeditated routine monitoring exercise is one of the checks and balances measure put in place by the leadership of the Service to monitor revenue generation, address leakages and the challenges of multiple taxation. 

The Acting Executive Chairman, Cross River Internal Revenue Service, Prince Edwin Okon, in a statement, said that due to catalogues of complaints from several quarters on illegal activities of revenue agents, it was pertinent for the Enforcement Team to embark on monitoring exercise within the Calabar Metropolis and its environs. 

Prince Okon expressed that it was unfortunate that despite the efforts of the current administration to ensure transparency in the revenue system, certain persons have vowed to disrupt the process through unethical practices, urging Consultants and sub Consultants to adhere to IRS ethical tax standard as the Service would double efforts to ensure that defaulters face the law. 

This development is coming weeks after four suspects were charged to court in August for similar offenses in the Northern Senatorial District of the State.

Illegal roadblocks at Scanobo Junction, 8 Miles, Calabar Municipality, were also dismantled.