NLNG Train 7 staff protest tax deductions

By Omodele Adigun

Staff working on the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, Train 7 project have protested the alleged irregular tax deductions.

The workers, led by workers under Daewoo Contractors, occupied the streets of Bonny, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, over alleged irregular tax deductions.

Daily Post reported that each worker has been subjected to monthly deductions of about N150,000 for tax clearance over the past two years.

It was learnt that the recent outrage which led to a protest is due to the failure to issue them their Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) despite the deductions made over the past two years.

They further claimed that an audit uncovered anomalies showing that, despite the monthly deductions, the taxes were never remitted to the federal government

As a result, the workers are demanding the release of their TINs and a refund of the monies deducted over the last two years.

According to one of the protesters, a pipe welder, the protest commenced on Monday, after repeated requests for clarification went unanswered.

The welder who spoke to Daily Post on condition of anonymity added that although the company asked the workers to appoint representatives for dialogue, the resolutions reached during the discussions have not been implemented.

In addition, one of the protesters accused their union of compromising the issue, alleging that union leaders had been aware of the situation for two years but remained silent because they were benefiting from the “illegal taxation.”