Oyo State Government on Wednesday shut down offices of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in Ibadan over alleged refusal of the company to pay over N400 million tax.
In a swift reaction, the company, however, through its Chief Operating Officer, Engr. John Ayodele explained that the state government is owing the company N450m, which was the reason IBEDC disconnected power supply in the state secretariat.
Ayodele said: “The Oyo state Government on Wednesday 9 February 2022 commenced the sealing of our offices within the state over some suddenly contrived debts labelled revenue bills and personal income without due notification.”
However, the state government through the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun dismissed claims that the State sealed off the IBEDC premises in Ibadan because the company disconnected the government house. He said the government approached the High Court of Justice in Ibadan to seek an order to seal off the premises of IBEDC because the company has been ignoring bills served it by the Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue Service for the past two years.
“It is important for everyone to remember that it is the duty of all, individuals and businesses, to pay taxes and levies. Without these payments, the government cannot provide necessities and perform necessary functions.”
