The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train 7 Project estimated at $10 billion dollars has been shut down by protesting workers. The aggrieved workers are demanding issuance of their tax receipts and tax identification number (TIN) codes. The workers also alleged the illegal deductions from their monthly pay to the tune of N150,000 under the guise of taxation.
The workers comprising of welders and fitters picketed the administrative building of the SCD JV (Saipem, Chiyoda and Daewoo Joint Venture) in Bonny, Rivers State. The picketing which started Thursday last week continued till Sunday as they vowed not to vacate the premises until their demands were met. The workers who are mainly fitters, welders and junior staff of the company are complaining about the monthly deduction of tax from their salary to the tune of N150,000 for tax clearance over the past two years without the company issuing them with Tax Identification Numbers (TIN).
The workers lamented that despite their efforts in taking the US$10 billion Train 7 project to its present 90% completion, the company still look down on their services. The protest, led by workers under Daewoo Contractors, reportedly began with fitters and welders before spreading to junior staff.
According the protesting staff, each of them has been subjected to monthly deductions of about N150,000 for tax clearance over the past two years. The aggrieved staff who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that despite the deductions made over the past two years, NLNG has not issued them their Tax Identification Numbers (TIN). They further claimed that an audit uncovered anomalies showing that, despite the monthly deductions, the taxes were never remitted to the federal government
They however demanded the release of their TINs and a refund of the monies deducted over the last two years.
The President National Association of Plants Operators (NAPO), Mr Harold Benstowe, called for the anti graft agencies to wade in to the matter. NAPO, whose members formed major part of workers working on the train 7 project, called on security chiefs in the country including the head of DSS and the IGP to warn their men on ground not to be used to intimidate the worker, else they will drag the agencies to court to get their rules well spelt out.
The Corporate Communications department of NLNG is yet to react to the issue.
