P&G Tax clearance: Reps Committee moves against FIRS over ‘suspicious tax clearance’

Procter and Gamble, a US based company operating in Nigeria was alledged to have been evasive of tax payment to the Federal Government of Nigeria running into millions of naira.

The company’s non remittance of tax was suspiciously aided by some staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

To this end, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts heades by Hon. Oluwole Oke on Wednesday summoned Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Mami, to offer explanation on tax clearance certificate issued to Procter and Gamble (P&G).

Members of the panel expressed disappointment that the FIRS would issue tax clearance to a foreign firm that was notorious for not paying tax for its businesses in Nigeria.

The invitation of FIRS boss which was at the instance of a lawmaker from Adamawa would create opportunity for FIRS boss to answer questions on
revenue remittances of the organisation between 2016 and 2018.

The non payment of tax clearance by Procter & Gamble came to fore based on a query raised by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation to that effect.

The AuGF had observed that in the years under review, the turnover of P&G was N42 billion, N41 billion and N48 billion, adding that “there is need for FIRS to come and authenticate the clearance certificates paraded by P&G and explain reasons for the issuance.”

The House of Representatives public Accounts Committee has been investigating activities of government agencies with a view to block financial leakages.