The Association of Oil and Gas Services Providers is challenging the exoneration of Tullow Oil and some other oil firms operating in the country of allegations that they are evading tax. The allegation which was first contained in a publication in the Daily Graphic suggests that most oil companies are able to avoid paying income taxes by rotating their expatriate workers. According to the paper, the company appears to be taking advantage of a law that exempts foreign employees who work for less than a month from paying tax to evade tax. The Ghana Revenue Authority has since the publication cleared Tullow Oil and the rest of the oil firms of any wrongdoing. But GOSPA, which is based in the Western Region said the revenue authority must not be so quick in dismissing the allegation. The Executive Secretary of GOSPA, Nortey Agyeman told Joy Business government must set up an independent committee of technical men with experience in taxation in the oil industry to thoroughly investigate the matter. He claimed the law had been abused and that some workers of the oil companies had worked for over 200 days without paying taxes. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament, James Avedzi has conceded that the oil exploration law as it stands now opens up the country for exploitation. He however tells Joy Business the current draft about to be laid before the legislature would be thoroughly scrutinized for any loopholes so the country will realize what is due it from the resource. Source: Joy Business/Ghana