NLNG Train 7 Shutdown: Firm Engages Workers’ Unions For Resolution Of Tax Dispute

One of the contractors handling the NLNG Train 7 project, Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria (DECN), said it was engaging its workers and their unions to resolve the issues that led to the shutdown of the project.

Welders and fitters working in the company, under the National Association of Plants Operators (NAPO) had last week laid down their tools over alleged tax fraud in the construction company.

They demanded that their employers provide them with their tax receipts and tax identification numbers.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt on Monday, the DECN management said no incident of fraud was associated with the company, pointing out that tax receipts do not emanate from the company, but from the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS).

The statement, which was signed by the Contract, Administration and Services (CAS) Manager, Bernard Ewubare, insisted that Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) are not generated by the company but by the Joint Tax Board (JTB) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The ccompany pleaded with the workers, especially welders and fitters, and their unions to give the company two weeks, begining from Monday, September 22, 2025, to resolve all issues surrounding the industrial crisis.

“The management of Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria (DECN) wishes to express its concern over the recent industrial crisis occasioned by the demand for tax receipts and tax identification numbers from welders and fitters on the Train 7 project.

“Management acknowledges the issue of controversy surrounding tax receipts and tax identification numbers for some welders and fitters working with the company on the Train 7 project.

“Management wishes to clarify that tax deductions done from workers are instantly remitted to the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) and tax receipts obtained and advanced to respective staff.

“Management wishes to clarify that tax identification number is not generated by Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited but by the Joint Tax Board (JTB) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

“Management also wished to clarify that there is no incidence of fraud associated with tax deductions in DECN,” the company said.

Management further pledged to facilitate through the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS), the provision of tax certificates with verifiable Tax Identification Numbers (TIN), having DECN code for accessibility to all welders/fitters within two weeks.

Meanwhile, President General, National Association of Plants Operators (NAPO), Harold Benstowe insisted that the core issue with the company was tax fraud, querying why tax deductions will be made from workers remunerations without receipts.

“This anomaly has been a long-standing issue of contention between workers and their management right from the Base project (Train 1).

“It beggars the question that companies will make deductions from salaries of workers and they will not show evidence of such deductions so the workers can confirm that they are tax compliant. This is something we at NAPO do not understand,” Benstowe said.

He stated that NAPO may wade into the matter should the companies affected and their client, the NLNG not resolve the issue as quickly as possible, adding that “workers deserve to have evidence that they have paid their tax and also should have their TIN without much ado”.