By Abdulwahab Abdulah

A foreign oil and gas exploration company,  PGS exploration Nigeria Ltd, has been     dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for allegedly evading payment of tax amounting to N4.5 billion due to the Federal Government.

The allegation formed part of the accusations levied against the oil exploration company by a Niger Delta development watch group, Oil and Gas Integrity Watch Group (OGIWG) in its petition to the anti graft agency, accusing the firm of carrying out explorations in some part of the region, but allegedly failed to remit necessary tax due to the government.

The alleged sum, was said to represent taxes expected to be paid to the Federal Government by the oil firm from contracts executed between 1999 and 2009 put at about $400million.

Vanguard investigations revealed that already, the Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS has swung into action to unravel the truth about the alleged tax evasion by the company.

The group in their petition said “Our  impeccable information revealed to us that the sum of between $350,000,000 and $400,000,000 was realized by PGS Exploration Nigeria Ltd from the sales and data related services rendered to various oil companies, both local and foreign

The company therefore became obliged to pay to the Federal Government of Nigeria to the tune of about $30,000,000, Tax as there was no waiver…”

Attempt to confirm the veracity of the allegations against the company was not welcomed as its officials turned down entreaties to meet with them.

When Vanguard visited its office located at plot 15, Eletu Ogabi, Lagos on the 14th of September, 2010 at about 1p.m the most senior security officer on duty, one Victor assisted our correspondent by  putting a call to the Human Resources Manager, through his secretary but all to no avail, as the secretary refused admittance.

This was after the security officer was informed of the Reporter’s mission to the company. To get a balance report on the story, the Reporter repeated his visit to the company  on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, however, the security personnel met at the gate said nobody was ready to speak on the matter.

The petitioner, which expressed worries over the development stated, expressed worries that it is unfortunate to see this type of development, especially when these foreign entrepreneurs could not do this in their countries, especially as the issue involved  tax evasion. It called on the anti graft agency to expedite action and verify the truth about their claims.

“When investigated, it would be revealed that the principal actors here are foreigners and they take the issue of tax evasion so seriously that it is pursued with so much vigour and dedicated fervency that is  no way inferior to the way and manner murderers are pursued and sniffed out for sanction.”

Calling on  EFCC not to sweep their petition under carpets, it insisted, “…we urged you, (EFCC) to use your good  offices to investigate this matter, and if PGS exploration (Nig) Ltd is found wanting as alleged, we enjoin you to apply your usual patriotic measures to recover every money that is due to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sanction the company as will be done by every anti_financial crime agency everywhere the world over.” It added.

The group noted that the alleged action of the firm amounted to economic sabotage as it had allegedly deprived the country money that was supposed to be pumped into economic activities and to create job, which in turn would reduce social vices, especially in the Niger Delta.