The $10 billion Train 7 Project of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) company has been shut down by protesting workers over alleged tax-related irregularities.
The aggrieved workers, comprising primarily welders, fitters, and junior staff under Daewoo Contractors, are demanding the issuance of their Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) and official tax receipts. They are also alleging illegal deductions of approximately ₦150,000 monthly from their salaries under the pretext of taxation.
The protest, which began last Thursday, continued through the weekend as workers picketed the administrative building of the SCD Joint Venture (a consortium of Saipem, Chiyoda, and Daewoo) in Bonny Island, Rivers State. The workers have vowed not to vacate the premises until their demands are met.
Sources told Daily Trust that the deductions have persisted for over two years without the affected staff receiving TINs or evidence of tax remittance. The protesters claim that an internal audit revealed that despite the consistent deductions, the taxes were never remitted to the Federal Government.
“We’ve contributed immensely to bringing the Train 7 project to over 90% completion, yet we are being treated unfairly,” one of the protesting workers said under anonymity. “We demand immediate issuance of our TINs and a full refund of all unlawful deductions.”
The President of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), Mr. Harold Benstowe, has called on anti-graft agencies to intervene and investigate the matter thoroughly. He also urged security agencies, including the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), to ensure their operatives are not used to intimidate the protesting workers.
“If any attempt is made to harass our members, we will seek legal redress to protect workers’ rights,” Benstowe warned.
Efforts to reach the NLNG for comment were unsuccessful as of press time. Messages sent via WhatsApp to Mr. Emma Nwatu, a representative of the company’s Corporate Communications Department, were not responded to.
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