The Imo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, has directed oil-producing companies operating in the state to establish official addresses and offices within Imo.
Governor Uzodimma, speaking after a meeting with representatives of the companies, expressed concern that despite having seven oil-producing firms operating in Imo State, none currently has a registered office or operational address in the state. Instead, the companies maintain their headquarters in Lagos, where they remit Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxes.
The governor in a viral video, stressed that this arrangement has denied Imo State access to vital revenue, including PAYE taxes and proper oversight of the workers’ nominal rolls. He declared that the situation must change, as the state is determined to ensure it benefits fairly from the resources extracted within its territory.
According to Governor Uzodimma, relocating their official addresses to Imo will not only strengthen accountability but also enhance the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and allow for better collaboration between the government and the oil firms.
“We cannot continue to host oil operations in Imo while all the offices and tax remittances are domiciled in Lagos. Imo people must benefit directly from the activities of these companies operating in our land,” the governor stated.
The directive signals a bold move by his administration to enforce compliance, improve revenue mobilisation, and ensure that host communities and the state at large enjoy greater dividends from oil exploration and production.
