The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has sealed seven telecommunication masts belonging to MTN and Globacom across the state’s urban areas over outstanding taxes totaling N5.8bn.
Zakari Muhammad, Head of Corporate Communications for KADIRS, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
The facilities were targeted due to significant tax liabilities established by the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency.
The sealed masts include the MTN mast at Tafawa Balewa Way, Unguwan Rimi, GLO mast at Shehu Laminu Road, Unguwan Rimi, and the MTN mast at Surami Road, Unguwan Rimi.
Others include MTN Mast at Etsu Road, Unguwan Rimi, MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9-Mobile Masts at Nagwamatse Road, MTN at Nagwamatse Road, Unguwan Rimi.
At a media briefing, the Secretary and Legal Adviser of the KADIRS Board, Aysha Ahmad, underscored the necessity of such measures in enforcing compliance among companies failing to meet their tax obligations.
“We are left with no option but to exercise the powers vested in us by the law to enforce compliance,” she stated.
Ahmad stressed the regrettable necessity of sealing properties due to unpaid taxes, emphasizing citizens’ duty to fulfil their tax obligations.
She highlighted the preference for voluntary compliance, with enforcement as a last resort, amidst the Kaduna State Government’s N120bn revenue target.
The Legal Adviser of Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Authority (KASUPDA), Shamsuddeen Lere, confirmed serving notices to defaulters but noted compliance was lacking.