Tanzanian MP Wants Shell-BG U.S.$500 Million Transaction Investigated
By Alawi Masare; 25 May 2018
Dodoma — Momba MP Mr David Silinde (Chadema) has asked the Parliament to form a special committee to investigate the transaction between Shell and BG over Tanzania’s gas blocks alleging that Shell did not pay capital gain tax.
Debating the budget of the Ministry of Energy on Friday, Mr Silinde said the company should pay the tax estimated at $500 million.
“There is a possibility that the transaction involved corruption. Hence, denies the country the revenue which could address different challenges in the energy sector,” said Mr Silinde.
“I need explanations of the matter because we are fighting with petty traders to collect taxes and there is this tax pending,” he added.
Mr Silinde was also concerned with the slow progress in energy projects saying they depended much on foreign financing, which were not predictable.
He also proposed Tanzania Electricity Supply Company to connect rural dwellers and charge their fees on the bill payment.
