More than 500 International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Akwa Ibom State territorial waters are accused of alleged default in payment of taxes to the state government, Straightnews reports.
Speaking at the 2024 May Day celebration held at Uyo Sports Stadium, the Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom Council, Comrade Sunny James accused the companies of clandestinely exploiting crude oil from Akwa Ibom territorial waters without paying commensurate taxes to the state government.
Straightnews gathers that IOCs, the operators of upstream oil and gas companies, hinge their argument of non-remittance of taxes to the state on the basis of operating within 200 nautical miles away from the shoreline said to be under Federal Government’s exclusive list.
Addressing the workers on 2024 May Day’s theme: People First, James also lambasted Sterling Global, a multinational oil company operating in Eastern Obolo for recruiting people from outside the state and employing them at the expense of the unemployed youths from the state.
The NLC Chairperson said the company is fund of outsourcing jobs whereas such could be given to competent and capable hands in the state to improve their well-being and the state economy.
James, therefore, called on the state governor to look into the matter with a view to compelling the IOCs to pay taxes to the government to boost its revenue profile.
According to him, ”I want to invite his Excellency to the activities of IOCs in Akwa Ibom pioneered by Sterling Global. They started from Eastern Obolo moved to Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and are now in Onna. Their activity is not labour friendly. You may set up a committee to investigate our complaint. Many people working in that company are hired by from neighbouring states.
Some of them are procured by chief liaison officers of our communities who are selling the slots of Akwa Ibom people to non-indigenes. These companies do not allow the Local Content Law to be effective in Akwa Ibom. We shall mobilise our people against the activities of Sterling Global. Let the right be done, the right recruitment process and activities be done. Let the right thing done in Rivers and Delta be done in Akwa Ibom because our state is not a dumping ground.
Over 500 IOCs are operating in the shores of Akwa Ibom State and are not paying their taxes. They claim that they are working in the shores. Please, set up a team to collect more money for the state to make progress for the people,” he added.
Governor Umo Eno who listened to the accusations did not respond to the speech.
