Managers of the national daily newspaper, Daily Graphic have deferred comment on a possible legal suit by the operator of the Jubilee Field, Tullow Oil against the newspaper.

The paper reported on Monday that the country is losing millions of dollars in tax revenue because expatriate workers employed by oil companies fail to pay taxes.

According to the report, workers contracted by Tullow and other partners in the Jubilee Field are able to avoid paying tax because of their temporary immigration status whilst others do not obtain the necessary work permit.

But Tullow said the report is inaccurate, insisting its workers have always fulfilled their tax obligations.

Director of Corporate Affairs and External Relations Dr. Tony Aubyn told Joy Business that unless the paper retracts the story, it may be forced to seek legal redress.

He said the paper’s report could have a negative impact on the image of the company and urged the reporter to do the honourable thing and accept that he got it wrong.

Managers of the Daily Graphic have declined to make any immediate comments.

Sources close to management, however, say the paper will only respond after an official complaint is filed.

Meanwhile, the Internal Revenue Service has also deferred comment on the matte.

The Acting Commissioner in charge of Domestic Tax at the Ghana Revenue Authority, Major Ablorh Quarcoo told Joy Business when contacted on Monday that it will make its official position on the allegations known on Tuesday.

Source: Joy Business/Ghana

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