By Jane B. Mansaray.
The allegation that Gulf Mineral Water Company is not paying taxes to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) has been described as false, baseless and unfounded.
This was the reaction by the Management of Gulf Mineral Water Company to a negative publication in a local tabloid newspaper last week.
Speaking at a press conference held on Friday 1st October 2021, at the companyโs Head Office on Smart Farm, Off Wilkinson Road in Freetown, the Commercial Manager, Claudius Stack Davies said since the company started operations in the country, they have been in full compliant with payments of taxes, and had always kept to their corporate social responsibility.
“The Gulf Mineral Water Company is a law-abiding company and will never operate or involve in any fraudulent activity”, Mr. Davies said.
According to Claudius Stack Davies, the story published by the newspaper lacks merit because the journalist failed to come to the companyโs office to justify the allegation.
The Gulf Mineral Water Company has been supporting their host community with roads and various developmental activities as part of their corporate social responsibility.
“If we have not met the criteria, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) would not have issued us a license to operate”, Davies stated. He boasted of the several awards won by his company from credible and nationally recognized institutions in Sierra Leone.
Davies added that Gulf Mineral Water Company has demonstrated transparency and compliance with the existence of the Electronic Cash Machine (ECM) system implemented by NRA.
A representative of the community confirmed that Gulf Mineral Water Company is very supportive of the Smart Farm Community. He made mention of the company support and commitment to the fight against the Ebola outbreak and to the present Covid-19 pandemic.
Head of operations, Mr. Ivan Williams presented letters of request from the community and with responses of thank you letters to the company. He noted that a good number of their staff members are from within the Smart Farm Community.
The company assured their customers of safe and pure drinking water.
