The National leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has criticised the sacking of workers by some oil and gas companies for active unionism.

NUPENG described the action as oppressive and a height of high handedness on the part of the firms.


It accused the management of Sterling Energy Exploration Company (SEEPCO) and its drilling arm, British Oil and Gas Ltd of denying workers their rights to unionise.

The union, therefore, called on the authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the sector to wade into the issue without delay to avert industrial crisis in Kwale, Warri area of Delta.

“For the records, five drilling oil rigs being operated by Sterling Energy Exploration Company (SEEPCO) and its drilling arm, British Oil and Gas Ltd in Kwale, Warri, have been in operation for several years.

“The period has witnessed continuous 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 unions of their choice and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has responded appropriately to the request.

“Unfortunately, the management of SEEPCO and its drilling arm, British Oil and Gas Ltd have resulted to high handedness and violence through the use of military men and armed militias to forcefully evacuate over 2, 500 workers from the five drilling rigs.

“These companies are Indian operated companies and NUPENG found it grossly unfortunate and unacceptable that these companies would be using brute force to dehumanise, terrorise, and victimise Nigerians in their own country,” the union said in a statement on Wednesday signed by its President, Mr Williams Akporeha.

It vowed not fold its arms while its members were being dehumanised in the course of demanding for their legitimate rights as recognised by labour laws and the International Labour Organisation charter.

To avoid further escalation, NUPENG urged the authorities, particularly the Federal Government and its agencies, to call the management of the companies to order, while directing them to follow path of best practices by granting the legitimate wishes of the workers.

NUPENG also called on its members to be “on red alert” as they might be called upon at very short notice to withdraw their services nationwide in solidarity with their oppressed colleagues if the situation was not addressed immediately.

Emycord:
ALWAYS TOWARDS CHRISTMAS

dingbang:
Indians cannot come to Nigeria and be bullying us, mbanunu. If I become president, I will chase every damn Indian soul from Nigeria because this nonsense is getting too much.

Emycord:
ALWAYS TOWARDS CHRISTMAS is it today that they were sacked? these people always want to make life terrible for christians let no one come here to preach how mooselims buy at same price too. the reasons they will give will happen at ordinary times but they will choose only christmas time to strike. and lest you remind me thats its september they are just asking us to prepare. the last time it made tp from abuja to east rise up to 15k now if you have a family you know what is at stake. so when you eventually get home and food stuff is high. they make you start insulting your fellow christian trader and transporter seeing them as the problem. but its all down to wicked govt policy. that do not want christians to have family re-union at end of year. we will not take it. they wish to keep you outside your home environment

Masterace:
ODE, you can chase them all, they are specialist when it comes to maintaining and manufacturing of oil n gas equipments

Fukafuka:
.....Make i pack my Load go my Village sharp Sharp