T7 Tax Controversy: LG Chairman Demands Transparency in Salary Deductions, Inaugurates Committee to Probe Crisis
The Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Abinye Pepple says transparency in deductions from workers’ salaries, especially in the area of tax deductions, is non-negotiable.
Pepple, who said this on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, during a stakeholder meeting at the Government Lodge in Bonny, Rivers State, stressed that employees have a constitutional right to speak out whenever they feel shortchanged.
The meeting brought together representatives of the SCD JV (Saipem, Chiyoda, and Daewoo Joint Venture), as well as leaders of welders, fitters, and other workers’ unions engaged in the Train 7 project of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).
The Bonny LGA Chairman convened the meeting in response to the recent crisis at the Train 7 project site involving staff of Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited (DECN) over non-availability of tax receipts and tax identification number (TIN).
He expressed dissatisfaction over allegations that money was being deducted from workers’ salaries without clear evidence or accountability.
“I am sincerely not happy. It is a criminal offense to continue to deduct monies from workers without any evidence to show, as alleged.”
“As a responsible government, we must give the workers all the necessary support and protect their rights for peace in the LGA,” he stated.
The meeting, which lasted more than three hours, allowed both workers and company representatives to lay out their grievances and concerns regarding the industrial action that has disrupted activities on the project site.
At the end of the deliberation, Pepple announced that a 14-man committee will be investigating the allegations and recommending long-term solutions, which mandate, according to him, is to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in handling workers’ welfare concerns.
He emphasized that workers must have unhindered access to accurate tax records and there should be proof that these taxes are being remitted by their employers.
According to him, his administration is determined to safeguard workers’ rights and promote industrial harmony to ensure peace and progress in Bonny, adding that the committee has two weeks to carry out its assignment and present a detailed report.
The committee is headed by the Senior Special Adviser on Industrial Matters, Dr. Akie Hart, and includes representatives of SCD JV, DECN, security agencies, workers’ unions, the Bonny Youth Federation, and the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS).
Also in attendance at the meeting were the Vice Chairman of Bonny LGA; Ibinyefagha Alabere, Secretary to the Bonny Local Government; Tamunotonye Jumbo; former Administrator, Bonny LGA, Kingsley Banigo; and Chairman of the LG Revenue Committee, Emmanuel Jumbo.
