Exclusive: Lockdown: FIRS Orders Closure of Offices In Abuja, Lagos, Ogun

As the President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the lockdown of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Lagos and Ogun for 14 days over the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Inland Revenue Service has ordered it’s staff in the affected states to obey the directives of the government.

The Executive Director of FIRS, Mr. Muhammed Nami said in a statement dated 30th March, 2020 and entitled: “Re: Compulsory Stay At Home Order By FG & Some States,” that the offices of the FIRS offices in the affected states should remain closed effective Tuesday, 31st March, 2020 for an initial period of fourteen (14) days, subject to review as the situation warrants.

The statement was addressed to all staff and Co-Ordinating Directors.

Nami said further in the statement, which was made available to journalists, that “however, in view of our peculiar role in the economy, all Coordinating Directors, Directors, Heads of Departments, State Co-Ordinators, Tax Controllers and State Monitors in the affected areas are to work from home in order not to completely shut down our operations.

“To actualize this, affected officers should ensure they have all the tools they need to work at home. Their phone lines and e-mail should also be open and available at all times,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman added that FIRS offices in states that were not affected by the general directive should continue to operate at minimal number of staff in line with the CD/GSG circular of 24th March, 2020.

He then enjoined all staff to continue to abide strictly by the instructions contained in “the Executive Chairman’s advisory and other instructions by the FG through the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Disease Control as regards Personal Hygiene and Restriction of Movement. “