A’Ibom revenue officials block Julius Berger, Dangote gates

Ini Billie, Uyo

Officials of the Akwa Ibom State revenue, on Wednesday, blocked the main gates of Julius Berger Plc and Dangote Cement Depot in Akwa Ibom State over a 134 million debt.

It was learnt that Julius Berger was owing tenements and levies totalling over N81 million, while Dangote Cement Depot had an outstanding debt of over N53 million.

Itu Local Government Revenue consultants were said to block the gates of the companies to enforce the payment of tenement rates and other levies owed over a period of two years.

The revenue officials stormed Julius Berger’s main gate at about 12:30 pm and used their Hilux van to block the main gate, restricting vehicular movements into the premises for more than three hours.

From there, they proceeded to the Dangote depot, where they also carried out the same action for 30 minutes.

Speaking with our correspondent outside the gate of Julius Berger company, the Manager, Eggheads Tax Practitioners, and consultants to the local government, Mr Dominic Williams, expressed disappointment that despite demand notices served on the companies they have refused to pay a dime to the local government coffers.

Williams stated that the council had granted a waiver to the companies in 2020 as a result of post-COVID-19, but regretted that subsequent entreaties in 2021 and earlier this year to make the affected companies pay their dues, including an invitation by the Commissioner of Police went unheeded.

“We are here at the instance of tax evasion that has been committed by Julius Berger and Dangote Cement Depot. In 2020 because of Post COVID-19, the council in its, wisdom granted a waiver, but in 2021, there was a demand notice that was served on them.

“Before the demand notice was served the council employed the services of an Estate valuer, who was assisted with a surveyor and they went round the whole place for valuation and assessment.

“Thereafter, we gave them a demand notice based on the assessed amount and besides this, there were other levies and fees that accrued to the council which was also assessed on them.

“We came here severally, we served demand notices and followed up with a reminder and they gave deaf ears. Based on this the council chairman in his peaceful disposition reported the issue to the police commissioner who invited them for a brief but they refused to attend. The invitation was served twice but none of them turned up.

“It’s based on this that we decided to come here today, to tell the whole world that Julius Berger, Dangote Cement Depot, have been evading taxes and levies in Akwa Ibom State,” he stated.

Unfortunately, no representative of Julius Berger came forth to address the revenue officials except for the security officials who hid their identities because they were not authorized to speak.

The development resulted in a clash between the officials and the security officers who hauled insults against each other.

At the Dangote Depot, the inventory Officer, who identified himself as Abubakar Sani, pleaded with the revenue officials to wait for the Depot manager whom he said was out for an official engagement.

Sani however denied knowledge and claims that the revenue officials have been visiting the company on the matter without success.

“I have always been here and if you have been coming here as you have said, there is no way the security will not allow you into the yard.

“I don’t know anything pertaining to what you are saying because the person who is supposed to attain to you guys is not here. You can come back to see him,” he said.