Tension is rising at the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train 7 project site in Bonny, Rivers State, as workers under Daewoo Contractors staged a mass protest over alleged illegal tax deductions.
The demonstration, which began with fitters and welders before spreading to junior staff, has paralysed sections of the multibillion-dollar project. Workers accuse their employers of deducting around ₦150,000 from each staff member’s salary every month for tax clearance over the past two years without issuing Tax Identification Numbers (TINs).
According to the protesters, an internal audit revealed that the taxes were never remitted to the federal government despite the deductions. Many staff say they are now being left in limbo, unable to verify their tax status while their earnings are being drained.
Workers demand refunds and accountability
The aggrieved workers are demanding an immediate refund of the two years’ worth of deductions and the release of valid TINs. A pipe welder who spoke anonymously to DAILY POST said the protest was launched after repeated requests for clarification were ignored.
“They asked us to appoint representatives for dialogue, but the resolutions agreed upon have not been implemented,” he explained.
Allegations of union compromise
Adding to the controversy, some protesters accused union leaders of being complicit, claiming they had known about the alleged “illegal taxation” for two years but kept silent because they were benefiting from it.
For now, the workers insist they will not back down until concrete action is taken. The situation threatens to further delay Nigeria’s flagship gas project, which has already faced multiple challenges in its execution.
