Total, 11 others in trouble over expatriate quota racketeering
The Federal Government says a total of 12 companies are being investigated for allegedly abusing the Expatriate Quota Positions (EQP) in the country.
The government accused the firms of engaging in EQP racketeering and violation of extant policies, rules and regulations on EQP.
The companies according to the Federal Government are Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Limited, International Business Machines West Africa, Stallion Motors Limited, Liaoning-Efacec Electrical Equipment Co. Nig. Ltd; and Total Nigeria Plc.
Others are AMNI, Sinohydro Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project Company Limited, Alliance Nigeria Insurance Limited, Yinson West Africa Productions, Sevier Pharmaceutical Development Limited, Jaiz Metal Ltd., and Macha Design and Construction Ltd.
“It is important to state that various committees of the National Assembly forward letters to the Ministry of Interior to investigate the activities of some companies in the utilization of the approved Expatriate Quota Positions. This substantiates the need for the creation of the Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection Unit in the C&B Department as requested by theMinister and the Permanent Secretary and as approved by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,” a ministry of interior report said.
‘’Some of the companies being investigated by the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives/ICPC through the Enforcement, Investigation & Inspection Unit are Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Limited; International Business Machines West Africa; Stallion Motors Limited; Liaoning-Efacec Electrical Equipment Co. Nig. Ltd; and Total Nigeria Plc.’’
The ministry revealed that Sinohydro Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project Ltd. was reported for the racketeering of EQPs, adding that the company was alleged to have over 300 expatriates as against the 33 it claimed.
‘’The company evaded tax payment and (posed) a threat to the internal security of Nigeria. The company failed to defend the allegations or submit requisite documents,’’ the report further said, noting that the Nigeria Immigration Service arrested over 200 illegal expatriates at the firm on March 10, 2022.
