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  • PENGASSAN condemns alleged assault of oil workers

    PENGASSAN condemns alleged assault of oil workers

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has bemoaned the alleged brutality and use of force on oil and gas workers at the Oritsetimeyin Oil and Gas rig by the military and other security agencies hired by Dutchford E&P, 

    Selective Marine Services and its labour contractors.

    This was contained in a statement by association’s President, Comrade Festus Osifo and the Secretary General, and Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa.

    The statement reads:  “The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), strongly condemns the brutal and excessive use of force by the military and other security agencies hired by Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services and its Labour Contractors against Oil and Gas workers at the Oritsetimeyin Oil and Gas Rig.”

    The association said the barbaric act negates the tenets of the Nigerian Constitution and all extant laws governing the operations in the nation’s oil and gas sector.

    PENGASSAN said it is on record that these companies are notorious for violating signed agreements reached with various parties including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on payments and other entitlements due to their workers dating back to 2022.

    The statement reads in part: “We warn that if the reports indicate that if and Gas workers are violently ejected from the Rig any date soon, PENGASSAN will deploy every arsenal at its disposal to frustrate such moves; as this unconscionable act represents a grave violation of human rights and known labour convention.

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    “The use of military actions against unarmed workers is completely unjustifiable and disproportionate 

    because, it is the Nigerian workers who have been subjugated to unfair workplace polices, including being 

    paid meager wages while working in a hazardous environment that should be the complainant.

    “While we understand and commend the workers for their professional disposition to keep the oil rigs flowing, the response of deploying the military to violently remove them is unacceptable and demonstrates a complete disregard for human life and the rule of law. 

    “The use of such force against unarmed civilians engaged in legitimate work is abhorrent and cannot be tolerated.

    “We demand a full and transparent investigation into this incident, leading to the immediate arrest and 

    prosecution of those responsible for ordering and carrying out this brutal assault. The perpetrators must 

    be held accountable for their actions under both national and international law. 

    “Furthermore, we demand a guarantee of the safety and security of all Oil and Gas workers on the Rigs, and 

    a commitment from the relevant authorities to uphold the rights of workers and engage in peaceful conflict 

    resolution.

    “PENGASSAN wll not sit idly while such egregious human rights violations occur. We will utilise all available avenues to ensure justice for the members and to prevent any future reoccurrence. 

    “We call on all concerned citizens, human rights organisations, and international bodies to join us in condemning this violence and demanding accountability, as silence n the face of such brutality is complicity.”

  • Gunmen kidnap five oil workers in Rivers

    The Chairman of Kula Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, King Kroma Eleki, has condemned the abduction of five oil workers at Belemaoil facility in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    The victims, who are personnel of a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) and a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, (BGP) were reportedly kidnapped on Monday by gunmen within OML-55, being operated by Belemaoil Producing Limited, an indigenous oil firm.

    Decrying the act, King Eleki said the kidnap of the oil workers was inimical to the development of the Kula Kingdom and the entire Island communities, adding that it could cause social disorder in the riverine communities.

    He said the incident had confirmed the allegation made earlier that a multinational company was colluding with some persons in Kula to undermine the security of the area, in a bid to forcefully resume oil operation in the territory.

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    He called for immediate and unconditional release of the oil workers and for improved security along the Kula waterways.

    Also condemning the act, the Secretary of the Council, King Bourdillon Ekine, wondered why such criminal act would be targeted at the seismic operation of Belemaoil that had meaningfully engaged and employed over 5,000 youths since the operation began last year.

    The Nation learnt yesterday that the personnel were working at a seismic operation site owned by Belemaoil when the abduction occurred.

    It was gathered that the incident has been reported to the security agencies.

    Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the kidnap of the workers, but said information about the incident was still sketchy.

     

     

  • Oil workers to Buhari: end fuel importation

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to  end the nation’s reliance on imported petroleum products.

    The oil workers promised to give the President the necessary support  to put an end to the shame of importing products for local consumption.

    NUPENG President Comrade Williams Akporeha made the call  at a press briefing in Lagos. He  said the union would resist any policy that would impact negatively on the oil and gas industry.

    He said the over dependence on petroleum products import has made the country vulnerable to antics and manipulations of local and foreign manipulators.

    ‘’NEC-In-Session, (National Executive Council of NUPENG), the highest organ of our Union on Friday April 26, 2019 requested for urgent revitalisation of Nigeria’s ailing refineries to pave way for sufficient local supply of petroleum products across the nation.

    ‘’NEC-In-Session in its wisdom equally encouraged state governments from the oil rich Niger Delta region to invest in building oil refineries to cater for domestic, commercial and industrial use by the citizenry, ’he added.

    Criticising the anti-labour postures of International Oil Companies (IOCs), Akporeha decried the violation of contract workers’ rights in Shell Nigeria.

    ‘’The gross violation of workers right reached an unfortunate head when Shell contractors brazenly refused to implement an agreement they willingly entered into with the workers since November 2018,’’he added.

    Akporeha expressed disgust over the refusal of the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Company (NLNG ) and its contractors to recognise the union.

    ‘’It is important to let you know that even after the Ministry of Labour’s intervention and the Court ruling in favour of the workers affirming their inalienable rights to associate and bargain collectively,  NLNG and its contractors still remain recalcitrant. Some of these contractors include WAEP, MIDIS Nigeria Limited, Rypac, D. A. Enterprise,’’ he added

    Commending Buhari and the National Assembly for the new national minimum wage law, the labour leader urged employers to ensure the immediate implementation of the new minimum wage.

    His words: “We offer our hands of fellowship to all workers who might need support in the unforeseen situation of any employer including state governments that may be thinking of cutting corners with regards to the implementation of the new minimum wage.”

    ‘’We know as a matter of fact that there is no state in Nigeria that does not have the capacity to conveniently implement this modest benchmark for workers in their respective states. It is, therefore, imperative for the government to focus on how to deepen good governance and restrain from fiscal wastages’’.

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    In a related event, the union urged Buhari to ignore the counsel of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to remove fuel subsidy.

    Akporeha described the IMF’s counsel as poisonous and capable of destabilising and creating unnecessary tension in the economy and body polity.

    He said: “While maintaining our uncompromising standpoint on national patriotism and also pushing for good governance particularly in the sector that affects our members and their businesses, we use this medium to condemn the hoax which suggested that Federal Government was planning to remove fuel subsidy.

    “Our over dependence on petroleum products importation has unfortunately made us to be very vulnerable to antics and manipulations of local and foreign manipulators. As stakeholders in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, we are not aware of such plan. Sadly, this unhealthy speculation led to panic buying and created slight hitches in the country’s downstream sector.’’

  • Oil workers warn against refineries sale

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned against the sale of  the nation’s refineries. The workers promised to resist such move.

    Apparently reacting to a statement credited to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that promised to sell the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) if voted into power, PENGASSAN President, Francis Olabode Johnson,  said the proposeed sale of the refineries will not be accepted by the workers.

    He said instead of selling the refineries and the NNPC, efforts should be made to rehabilitate them.

    Read also: I‘ll sign PIB into law, Buhari assures oil workers

    Johnson said: “We strongly appeal to the Federal Government to hasten work on the rehabilitation of the refineries as conflicting pronouncements are creating more confusion. We urge the government to fast-track the rehabilitation of the refineries as the proposed sale in certain quarters will not be accepted.

    “Our position has been that we want the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Model to be replicated in the refineries management.”

    Johnson who spoke at the Delegate Conference of the association, commended the NNPC management for its role in resolving the JV Cash Call issue; restoration of operations at depots in Mosimi, Ore, Aba, Gombe, Ibadan, Calabar, Ilorin, Kaduna and others.

    He said: “We will use this medium to sincerely appreciate the dedication and commitment of  NNPC management in their investment drive to position the corporation for greater efficiency.”

  • I’ll sign PIB into law, Buhari assures oil workers

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured workers in the oil and gas industry of his commitment to ensuring a conducive working environment for them, saying he will accelerate the process of signing into the law the Petroleum Industries Bill once it is passed into law by the National Assembly.

    The President, who spoke through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) in Abuja, said his government was committed to the welfare of workers.

    He added that he will do everything possible to ensure a conducive working environment for them.

    The President also reminded them of his government’s stance on constitutionality, saying he would always uphold the Nigerian constitution, especially section 40 which guarantee freedom of association and freedom to form unions.

    He emphasised the need for dialogue in dealings with employers, saying: “There can be no employers without employees and there can be no employees without employers. So, you need each other’s always and must, therefore, work together for the common good of all.”

    NUPENG President Comrade Williams Akporeha said despite challenges and obstacles, workers solidarity remains ever constant like the northern star.

    He added: “Our resolve is unshaken, our unity unruffled, integrity intact and we remain indomitable and irrepressible as any industrial union will ever dream to be. In the light of these, we deserve to celebrate and felicitate together, and this we are here to do today.

    “However, one major hydra-headed monster we have been confronting for over two decades now is the titanic struggle against casualisation and indecent employment in the Nigeria oil and gas industry.”

    He said NUPENG has in the last four decades consistently and creditably contributed to the growth of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry and the enthronement of industrial peace and harmony has also positively impacted on the socio-political and economic growth of the nation.

     

  • Baru hails oil workers for stopping planned strike

    The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, praised the leaderships of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) for their roles in the prompt resolution of the recently averted planned industrial action.

    He gave the commendation at the 4th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the NUPENG/NNPC Group Executive Council in Abuja.

    A statement by NNPC spokesman Ndu Ughamadu quoted Baru as saying both unions demonstrated uncommon commitment to the vision of the NNPC management of ensuring steady and uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country.

    ‘’I wish to register my appreciation to the present executives of NUPENG, together with PENGASSAN; you have collectively created an atmosphere of industrial harmony in NNPC and by extension, the entire oil and gas industry.

    “You have shown great understanding at the critical moments in the course of our operations. I thank you for the cordial relationship that has defined our association”, he said.

    Earlier in his speech, the NUPENG National President, Prince Williams Akporeha, said the union had embarked on a number of reforms geared towards rebranding itself for efficiency.

  • Oil workers threaten strike over alleged army brutality

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratia  to urgently redeploy soldiers unlawfully being used to brutalise workers in two oil firms in Delta State under 24 hours or  risk a nationwide industrial action.

    NUPENG said the use of military personnel and armed militias to forcefully eject workers from the premises by a firm, Sterling Energy Exploration Company (SEEPCO) and its drilling arm, British Oil and Gas Limited (BOGEL) over issue of unionisation is an aberration and dehumanisation of the workers.

    Its National President, Comr. Williams Akporeha, who spoke to reporters in Lagos, yesterday said the frims involved have sacked over 2,500 workers who asked for their legitimate right to belong to an association.

    Akporeha said the use of military personnel to distribute forms to the workers not to belong to any association is strange and wondered why soldiers should allow themselves to be used as weapon of brutality against defenceless workers demanding for their constitutional rights.

     

    He said despite calls on the relevant stakeholders to help address the issue before it escalates were frustrated by SEEPCO and BOGEL.

    “Workers in Delta State have started industrial action at the moment and if nothing is done by the military honchos to talk to their boys doing illegal duty; we will have no option but to peacefully toe the line of national industrial action in solidarity to the plight of the affected workers,” he said.

    He also called for the immediate intervention of the Federal Government, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Inspector General of Police, and the Acting Director-General, Department of State Security Services (DSSS) and other relevant stakeholders in the oil and gas industry on the matter.

    He said it was the resolve of the union to always work with all employers of labour in the oil and gas industry with the primary aim of entrenching and sustaining industrial peace and harmony in the overall interest of the country. He said NUPENG would continue to stand firm in protecting the interest of its members particularly when their rights are being violated.

    Akphoreha said: “For the record, five drilling oil rigs being operated by SEEPCO and its drilling arm, British Oil and Gas Limited in Kwale, Warri area of Delta State, have been in operation for several years now, with continued refusal by the management of these drilling companies to allow workers to join the union.

    “Workers of these drilling rigs have overtly indicated their willingness and readiness to join the union of their choice and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has responded appropriately to the request of these workers with several requests for union recognition from the management.

    “Unfortunately, rather that following path of decency and global best practices, the management of SEEPCO and its drilling arm, British Oil and Gas Limited have resulted to high handedness and violence through the use of military men and armed militias to forcefully evacuate over 2500 workers from the five drilling rigs.

    “These companies are Indian operated companies and NUPENG found it grossly unfortunate and unacceptable that these companies would beusing brute force to dehumanise, terrorise, and victimise Nigerians in their own country.

    “To avoid further escalation of this current unhealthy situation and considering the collateral damage it might cause the nation, NUPENG is earnestly asking all the aforementioned stakeholders to call the management of these companies to order and direct them to follow path of decency and best practices by granting the legitimate wishes of the workers to freely associate and be unionized without any further encumbrance or limitations.”

  • Herders’ killings threatening FDI, say oil workers

    The two unions in the nation’s oil and gas sector, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN)  said incessant  killings across the country is threatening foreign direct investments (FDI) into the country.

    Operating under the aegies of NUPENGASSAN, the unions said it was worried over the loss of confidence in the political leadership involved in criminal activities that threaten the corporate existence of the nation.

    Its National President, Comrade Olabode Johnson said the oil workers were deeply disturbed about incessant killings and wanton destruction of lives and properties, especially farm lands as well as threats to the food security of the country. He said the development has increased poverty and hunger in the country.

    Johnson said many international investors would be scared of coming to the country because they would see it as an unsafe and dangerous investment.

    He said:  “This equally amounts to the losses these crises have caused many of our members and the psychological and economic damage they have suffered over the years.

    “The Council frowns at repeated clashes of similar nature across the country, which obviously is making people become apprehensive because of fear of the unknown.

    “The Council-in-session, out of patriotism calls on the Federal Government and the affected state governments to work together, taking immediate steps to reinvigorate and overhaul the security system, strengthen conflict-resolution mechanisms and initiate longer-term efforts to look into familiar problems of insecurity in their domains.”

     

     

  • Oil workers suspend strike

    • Govt promises N650b payment 

    Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) yesterday suspended their 14-days strike notice to the Federal Government owing to the government’s assurance to pay the outstanding N650billion debts to the marketers.

    DAPPMAN Chairman, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Executive Secretary,  Olufemi Adewole respectively made this disclosure in a statement.

    It said DAPPMAN/MOMAN have suspended the issued 14 days ultimatum, saying they are pleading “with all our staff under the various umbrella Unions: NARTO, PENGASSAN, NUPENG/PTD, to please bear with us whilst this approval for appropriation by the NASS is being deliberated on and processed, which we believe will not exceed two  weeks in view of the adverse implications of any delays.”

    They appealed to all marketers to ensure there is no disruption in the supply and distribution of petrol nationwide.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Minister takes oil workers’ case to arbitration panel

    Minister takes oil workers’ case to arbitration panel

    Minister of Labour and Productivity Chris Ngige has referred the case of striking workers of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) to Industrial Arbitration Panel.

    By the minister’s action, the workers cannot continue with the strike as statutorily provided by the law.

    A letter to the Managing Director and lead Country Manager, MPNU, dated May 12 and signed by Mrs. M.O. Ike of the Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations Department of Labour and Productivity Ministry on behalf of the minister, indicated that Ngige has invoked the powers conferred on him by law by taken the dispute to the Industrial Arbitration Panel.

    The letter reads: “I am directed to inform you that the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment in exercise of the power conferred upon him by Section 9 (1) of the Trade Disputes Act, Cap T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004, has referred the trade dispute now existing between the management of MPN and PENGASSAN to the Industrial Arbitration Panel.

    “The Registrar of the panel will address further correspondence to you in due course.

    “You are hereby reminded of the provisions of the Trade Disputes Act, which stipulates inter alia, that there shall be no strike or lockout where a trade dispute has been referred to the Industrial Arbitration Panel. You are, therefore, advised accordingly.”

    The striking Mobil workers had shunned a mediatory meeting called by the minister last Thursday without an explanation. They also rejected a directive by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to suspend the strike.

    The action of the oil workers was considered as discourteous. The workers rather pledged loyalty to the national body of PENGASSAN and every position it takes on the matter.