BIPC, BIRS Constitute Joint Committee to Reconcile PAYE, Property Ownership and Other Liabilities

BIPC, BIRS Constitute Joint Committee to Reconcile PAYE, Property Ownership and Other Liabilitie

By Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) and the Benue State Board of Internal Revenue (BIRS) have inaugurated a joint committee to reconcile pending matters between the two agencies, particularly issues relating to Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) remittances and ownership liabilities concerning the BIRS corporate headquarters.

The decision was reached at a meeting held in the BIPC boardroom, with management teams from both organisations in attendance.
Major matters deliberated upon included the immediate resumption of PAYE remittances by BIPC, questions surrounding the ownership and tax responsibilities tied to the BIRS Corporate Headquarters originally owned by BIPC, outstanding obligations to the Federal Mortgage Bank linked to the property, and the development of a framework to settle all related disputes.
Addressing participants at the meeting, BIPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, directed that PAYE payments to BIRS should commence without delay.
Speaking on the BIRS headquarters building, Dr. Asemakaha decried what he termed the acquisition of the BIPC-owned property without the company’s approval by a previous State Executive Council (EXCO).
He stated that the matter would be presented before the current EXCO to reinforce due process and ensure BIPC is no longer saddled with outstanding tax liabilities on the property owed to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
“We are not contesting the EXCO’s approval, but what becomes of the liability? Proper due diligence was not carried out, and we want the appropriate steps taken,” Asemakaha said.
The GMD also expressed appreciation to the BIRS management team for honouring the invitation, explaining that the meeting was aimed at fostering clarity and charting a productive path forward for both institutions.
In his remarks, BIRS Executive Chairman, Joseph Kwaghba, applauded BIPC for the progress made under its present leadership.
However, he revealed that available records indicate BIPC has not remitted PAYE deductions for more than a decade, with accumulated liabilities exceeding N280 million.
Kwaghba emphasised that BIRS does not have the authority to waive tax liabilities owed by any agency, noting that such decisions rest solely with the state government, which informed the board’s request.
He further asked BIPC to provide comprehensive details of rental income generated from its properties, including commercial complexes and other business facilities. He added that any unresolved matters should be formally escalated to the state government, given that BIRS operates strictly as a government-established revenue agency.
Earlier, BIPC’s Head of Administration and Human Resources Management, Joshua Nyipira, noted that stronger collaboration between both agencies would promote efficiency and enhance revenue management across the state.
The joint committee is expected to outline workable modalities for resolving the outstanding concerns and present its recommendations to the relevant authorities.