Delta community workers cry to gov over firm’s alleged maltreatment

Community workers from the Ogbeani community in Ndokwa West Local Council have appealed to Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, seeking intervention over alleged mistreatment by the management of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) company in Kwale.

Representatives of the workers, including Chairman Mr Courageous Ozor, Spokesperson Mr Ikumi Christopher, Secretary Mr Enemuwe Peter, and Treasurer Mr Aninwe Edward, expressed their frustration over what they described as exploitation by the company despite it operating on their land.

The workers have vowed to resist the company’s actions if the situation does not improve.

In a letter titled “Save Our Soul” and addressed to Governor Oborevwori, the workers through their legal counsel, I O Omoyibo & Co, Barristers, Solicitors and Legal Consultants, lamented their lack of formal employment contracts.

They claimed that the company hired and fired workers arbitrarily, with many not knowing their future within the company due to the absence of employment letters detailing terms and conditions of service.

The letter, dated October 30, 2024, also raised concerns about the company’s failure to implement the new minimum wage for the workers, despite taking good care of some non-local employees.

The community workers alleged that their efforts to resolve the matter peacefully had been unsuccessful.

The letter, which was copied to the Commissioner of Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Oil and Gas, and other security formations in the state, stated, “Since the inception of Kwale LPG, our clients have worked without employment letters.

They have suffered untold hardship at the hands of the company, and we stand to say ‘no more.’”

In response, the State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Peter Uviejitobor, urged both parties to maintain peaceful dispositions in resolving the issue. He warned that the state government would not tolerate actions that could disrupt peace or lead to a breakdown of law and order.

When contacted, the LPG’s Community Liaison Officer, Lucky Ojumah, declined to comment in detail, stating that he would provide information only after receiving further directives.