By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
The Acting Chairman, Benue Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, Mr Emmanuel Agema, has described as false the allegation circulating on the social media platforms that Benue State is being defrauded of revenue through Pay as You Earn (PAYE).
The Chairman who debunked the allegation through his Media Assistant, Jacintha Bernard in a press statement, said that the service is not aware of any directives by the Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to the Directors General, Services and Administration, DGSAs, of the 23 Local Governments in the state to make remittances of pay as you earn, PAYE tax through the platform of Softnet as alleged in the write up.
Mr Agema explained that all PAYE remittances by the 23 Local Governments in the state and other government agencies are paid directly into the Consolidated Revenue Funds (CRF).
“The relationship between the consultant, Softnet, and the service is purely contractual with obligations on either side, which obligations are being religiously complied with, without breach by both parties.”
According to the statement, the Chairman and his management team has never cried out to any individual or media organization about Softnet as alleged in the write up.
The tax Boss acknowledged the stand of the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia on transparency in the business of revenue collections in the state, stressing that he is fully committed to operating on that path.
Mr Agema noted that the publication is not only mischievous but also totally false and misleading, and should be disregarded. He said Mr Steve Tyover, the alleged writer of the publication depicted obvious characteristic of a falsehood merchant.
The Chairman, restated his commitment and that of staff of the service to effectively carry out the mandate of the state revenue agency in generating optimum revenue for the state. He pledged the unflinching loyalty and support of BIRS to the administration of the Governor.
