DPR cancels NOV Oil, Gas licences over unfair labour practices
Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has cancelled the operating licences of NOV Oil and Gas Services Nigeria Limited and NOV Oilfield Solutions Limited (National Oilwell Varco) over anti-labour practices.
A letter signed by Director/Chief Executive Officer, DPR, Sarki Auwalu, said the firms’ permit to operate as oil industry service companies were cancelled, having failed to carry out their functions in a manner consistent with terms and conditions of the Oil and Gas Industry Service Permit (OGISP) as required under the Petroleum Act Cap P10 LFN 2004 and regulations made thereafter.
The Lagos Zonal Chairman of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Eyam Abeng, said the cancellation of the licences was the height of sanctions against the company for its insensitivity and lack of respect for national and international labour laws.
He said the action came as a result of inability to abide by rules and regulations governing the release of staff members, failure to put in place a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and contravening of extant laws with regards to committing anti-labour infractions and lack of respect for due process.
He alleged that the management had been engaging in harassment, victimisation, intimidation and sacking of workers without following laid down procedures.
