NDDC headquarters, Harold Dappa Biriye House, Port Harcourt

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt 

Business activities in the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, were  disrupted by the Rivers State Internal Revenue Services on Tuesday over alleged refusal of the Commission to pay withholding tax.

Mr Manson Endeboh, the RIRS Director who led the enforcement team, said that the tax agency sealed the gates of the NDDC headquarters for allegedly owing the Rivers State government withholding tax.

But NDDC expressed dismay over the disruption of activities at its headquarters in Port Harcourt on Tuesday by officials of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, RIRS.

Speaking on behalf of the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Nsima Ekere, the Special Assistant on Media, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, said  the Commission was surprised by the development, “because the Commission had already begun paying the Revenue Service the arrears under question.”

Amu-Nnadi explained: “About two weeks ago, the Commission met with the tax enforcement team and started negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues. We understand that there is a court order. But it’s important for us to state that the Commission, as a responsible corporate organisation, had begun to attend to all obligations as agreed.

“Last week, the Commission paid the first tranche. They will receive the next tranche this week. This is a sign of goodwill and commitment on the side of the Commission to meet these obligations.”

Mr. Amu-Nnadi expressed dismay at the actions of the RIRS officials, noting that blocking the premises of the Commission was an unnecessary embarrassment and does not match the Commission’s goodwill.

He stated: “It is very surprising that even though we have begun paying these arrears dating back to 2013, which the current board inherited, we still have to deal with this little impasse. And mind you, over the past two years, the current Board has paid all the Commission’s tax obligations as at when due.”

Mr Manson Endeboh, the RIRS Director who led the enforcement team, said that the tax agency sealed the gates of the NDDC headquarters for allegedly owing withholding tax.

He, however, conceded that the Commission had made some payments but that it came after they approached the court for an exparte order to seal the office.