Cross River Seals Offices Over N154 Million Tax Debts

The Cross River Internal Revenue Service sealed the offices of the Cross River Basin Development Authority and the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Calabar over unpaid tax liabilities amounting to N154 million. Ayi Bassei, the director of compliance at the Cross River Internal Revenue Service, stated that the Cross River Basin Development Authority owes the state government N53 million, a debt arising from a tax audit conducted between 2019 and 2021.

The enforcement action is part of a broader initiative by the state government to enhance internal revenue generation and ensure compliance with tax laws. The Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Calabar is reported to owe N101 million in unremitted withholding tax for the period of 2022 to 2023.

Emmanuel Esirah, director of legal services at the enforcement service, indicated that the enforcement measures included sealing premises and potentially impounding properties of defaulting institutions. However, the hospital's medical activities were not disrupted, and administrative offices remained operational.