Senate exposes how OAGF officials allegedly swindle FG of N378m tax

•Reps subpoenas Kyari to account for NNPC activities
The Senate, yesterday, exposed some officials in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) that allegedly waived a N378 million witholding tax in value of a private firm (name withheld).

The Port Community System Software company, which provides an interface for port authorities, terminal operators and Customs, also offers a comprehensive set of features for facilitation of logistics and operations.

The Senator Matthew Urhoghide-led Senate Committee on Public Accounts during investigation on 2015 audit report against the AGF uncovered the N3.7 billion that was paid to the firm without deduction of the withholding tax, leading to loss of tax revenue of N378 million by the Federal Government.

The query was contained in the report furnished the panel by the Auditor General of Federation.

Representative of the Accountant General stated that statutorily, the terms of contract exempted payment of taxes (WHT and VAT).

ALSO, the House of Representatives Committee on Finance decried the continued failure of the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC Mello) Kyari to appear before it to shed light on the national oil firm’s financial transactions and other activities.

Ordering to appear before it in person tomorrow, the lawmakers accused him of having “skeletons in his cupboard.”

Kyari, had sent the General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as his representative, but was turned down by the legislators, who insisted on hearing from the GMD himself.