Gov. Dickson seeks Buhari’s intervention over tax evasions by oil firms

CHINEDU WOSU, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has formally sought the intervention of President Mahammadu Buhari over tax evasion by multinational oil companies operating in the state.
Dickson who described tax evasion as ‘flagrant disregard to laws and non-compliance with the rules and regulations of the country,’ listed defaulting companies as Shell Petroleum Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC); Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC); Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL); Consolidated Oil (CL); Conoil Producing; Brass LNG and Aiteo Energy.
Dickson in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), dated April 18, 2016 pleaded that the government should not support the oil companies.
“Our further position is that the Federal Government and its agencies should not condone or support irresponsible behaviour by these companies whose conduct subvert and undermine the authority of the State and our economy especially in the areas we have legislative authority such as Development Control, taxes permitted by Federal Laws and other legislations within the residual powers of the State”, he said.
He specifically complained about defaults by oil and gas companies operating in the state to pay taxes and levies over time.
Dickson, urged Buhari to use his good offices to prevail on the companies concerned, who are licencees of the Federal Government, to comply with the laws of the state and that of the country.
Our correspondent reports that the SPDC’s facility in Gbaran Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas, was recently sealed over charges of default in the payment of taxes and levies.
Executive Secretary of Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board (BSPPDB), Boro Ige-Edaba, had in a statement earlier this week, announced the sealing of the property, relying on an eviction order issued by the State High Court in Yenagoa.
He said the eviction order had granted the government of Bayelsa State leave to effect the eviction of SPDC and all occupants of the premises to enable the Physical Planning and Development Board conduct environmental, health, technical integrity and safety checks on the facility.