FIRS seals Warri 4 star hotel over tax defaults + PHOTOS

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Tuesday evening, sealed the Golden Tulip Warri Airports Hotels at Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, over tax defaults.

This is just as staff and guests in the hotel rooms were forcefully eased out of the premises with the assistance of stern-looking mobile policemen and the hotel sealed.

The tax enforcement team was led by Anita Erine who alleged that the four star hotel has accumulated Value Added Tax liabilities of over N15.6 million through 2014 to 2016 years of assessment.

Erine disclosed to the staff the team met that “The chairman of FIRS, Dr Babatunde Fowler, has signed a warrant of distraint to seal this company and the only way we can do otherwise is for you to pay up what you owe or show proof that you have paid.”

She rejected the explanation given by one of the staff who argued that the hotel was not in operation during the said assessment period.

Erine said she could only be assuaged by written evidence not to effect the sealing of the hospitality facility.

“Sorry, we are not allowed to speak to people phone on phone. If you have no proof of payment, we are sealing you,” the team leader insisted just as she rejected to have a chat with a prominent Delta politician who owns the hotel.

It will be recalled that FIRS team had earlier sealed Kevwe Construction Company, Okuokoko, for similar VAT default to the tune of N84.4m.

Ishaka Hotels and Tebelos Hotels located along Refinery Road, Effurun, was, however, handed a day of grace after an undertaking was signed.