Most air carriers, ground handlers don’t pay tax – NCPC
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) Rev Tor Uja has revealed that most air carriers and ground handlers involved in pilgrim operations are not registered officially with the commission neither do they pay taxes to anyone in the country.
The NCPC boss who was speaking during the second phase bid opening and evaluation of ground handlers and air carrier for the 2017 Christian pilgrimage exercise at the Commission’s corporate headquarters yesterday pointed out in spite of being paid millions and hundreds of dollars for their services are not registered and don’t pay taxes.
Rev Tor Uja added that these illegal operations will no longer be acceptable as it trample on the integrity of the country saying, “We noticed that majority of the ground handlers that do business with Nigeria’s pilgrims are not registered anywhere in Nigeria, this is incorrect and of course it has come to an end.”
“Henceforth for any ground carrier or air carrier to participate in any pilgrimage activity in Nigeria, you must be a registered and accredited person, and its only NCPC with that statutory mandate has that mandate”.
He added that out of the 24 companies and persons who applied for the slot of air carriers and ground handlers only 3 met all the requirements enshrined in the 2007 public procurement act.
He said, “We have decided to stick to these three and ensure we henceforth do the right thing.
He also lamented that it was unfair for air carriers or ground carriers who are paid millions of dollars not to pay taxes that will help develop the country.
Earlier the executive director of Atlasjet Nigeria Limited, Mr Ercument Fitz said that they have never taken for granted the opportunity given to them to do business in Nigeria saying, “This is the first time that I have seen the procurement act being implemented fully”.
“I am impressed that only those who met all the requirement are here, because they merit it, we promise to ensure that pilgrims are well looked after when they travel with us.