Kaduna  Closes  KEDCO Headquarters Over N464.5 million Debt

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has sealed closed the Kaduna Electric Distribution Company headquarters on Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna, and other offices.

KEDC owes N464.5 million in tax debts,according to the state government,which also sealed off KEDCO’s Kawo area office, NDA Bus Stop, Unguwan Dosa Service Centre, Kawo Service Centre, and offices located at Asikolaye and Turn Wada in Kaduna metropolis.

Aysha Mohammed, the Board Secretary and Legal Adviser, KADIRS, Aysha Mohammed, told journalists that the offices were sealed off because KEDCO defaulted on its pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) and withholding taxes from 2012 to 2018.

Ms Mohammed explained that apart from the withholding tax, the electric distribution company deducted PAYE from staff but did not remit to KADIRS as required by the law.

“We have been discussing with the management of the company since 2019 to pay the outstanding liability. But they refused. As such, we had no option but to seal off the offices.

“The headquarters and other sealed offices will remain close until the N464.5 million tax liability is settled,” she said.

The Head of Enforcement, Ado Garba, added that the agency sent seven notices to the firm, but it did no respond.

“This, therefore, left us with no option than to obtain a Warrant of Authority from the court to seal off the offices.

“This is in line with Section 104(1) and (4) of the Personal Income Tax Amendment Act 2011 and Section 37 subsection (3) and (4) of the Kaduna State Tax Codification and Consolidation Law, 2020,” he said.