allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Representatives to Investigate Expatriate Quota Abuse
Tashikalmah Hallah and Nasidi A. Yahaya
18 May 2009
The House of Representatives yesterday said it has concluded arrangements to investigate increasing cases of violation of expatriate quota provisions by some foreigners working in the country.
The House Committee on Interior said the measure became necessary due to realization that some expatriates were living and working in the country in violation of the country's immigration laws.
A statement by the Clerk, House Committee on Interior, Mr. Dennis Iko, said preliminary findings show that most companies operating in the country have been in constant violation of expatriate quota provisions and business permit granted them in disregard to the laws of the land.
It said that the information some of the expatriates have not filed their personal income tax return for a long time, saying the situation needs to conduct the investigation.
It said that "the Committee is therefore compelled to carry out full investigation into these unwholesome practices and where it finds necessary; it will invoke the full weight of the law on culprits".
The Committee urged Nigerians and non-Nigerians with perceived grievances to come forward with such details and evidence that will assist it in investigation in the interest of the country.
"It is clear that where expatriate quota is abused it is the citizens that suffer. The abuse of expatriate quota and failure to file income tax returns, contravene the provision of the law and it is to that extent an economic crime under prevailing Act," the Committee said.
The Committee said that more worrisome was the fact that some expatriates have become brazen enough to start acting as retailers, describing the development as "racketeering which carries a heavy sentence once proven."
It said the country recognized all bilateral agreements entered into with sister countries of the world without prejudice to its own interest.
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