By Martin Iyonguvihi
The Acting Chairman, Benue State Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, Emmanuel Agema has refuted a story circulating on social media by one Steve Tyover, alleging that a consultant, “Softnet” has been directed by the Executive Governor of Benue State to collect “Pay as you Earn, PAYE” in order to keep 10% Commission.
The Voice gathered that Steve Tyover had written on his social media, alleging that Gov. Hyacinth Alia had directed Directors of Administration and General Services, (DGSAs) of the 23 local governments in the state to make remittance of Pay as you Earn-PAYE- tax through the platform of SOFTNET, so that the consultant will therein be earning 10% as commission.
A statement released by the media assistant to the BIRS Acting Chairman, Jacintha Bernard and made available to The Voice recently stated that the allegations are “baseless and unsubstantiated” while describing Steve Tyover as one “who depicts obvious characteristics of a falsehood merchant.”
The statement read in part: “The attention of the Acting Chairman of Benue State Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, Emmanuel Agema has been drawn to a baseless and unsubstantiated publication circulating on social media platforms by one, Steve Tyover.
“Tyover, who depicted obvious characteristics of a falsehood merchant, alleged that Gov. Hyacinth Alia had directed Directors of Administration and General Services, (DGSAs) of the 23 local governments in the state to make remittance of Pay as you Earn-PAYE- tax through the platform of SOFTNET, so that the consultant will therein be earning 10% as commission.
“For the purpose of clarity to the taxpaying and concerned citizens of the state, the Chairman wishes to state clearly that: The service is not aware of any directives by the Governor to the 23 local governments DGSAs to remit their PAYE through SOFTNET platform as alleged in the write up.
“All PAYE remittances by the 23 local governments in the state and other government agencies are paid directly into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (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.
“The Chairman and his Management team have never cried out to any individual or media organisation about SOFTNET as alleged in the write up.
“The Chairman acknowledges the stand of the Executive Governor of the state, H.E, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia on transparency in the business of revenue collections in the state, and is fully committed in operating on that path.
“The publication is not only mischievous but also totally false and misleading, and should be disregarded.”
