The Kogi State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Gabriel Olofu, on Wednesday in Lokoja directed all business owners including Point of Sales operators across the state to register their business premises within the next one month or be sanctioned.

Speaking at a joint press conference with the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service in Lokoja, the commissioner said failure to register the premises in accordance with the directives of the state government would draw sanctions on defaulters.

He said, “We are appealing to the general public to comply with the provisions of the law concerning registering of business with Ministry of Commerce and Industry as required by law.

“This is to avoid sanction or punishment as the case may be. We urge business operators to pay their taxes directly into KGIRS specified account and obtain receipt or teller; thereafter proceed to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to obtain their business premises certificate.”

The commissioner stressed the need for all payments to be made directly through banks in accordance with the cashless policy of the state government, adding that operators had a grace of one month after which the enforcement would commence.