PENGASSAN pickets oil firm over alleged expatriate abuse, anti-labour activities
12 March 2025 |
3:23 am
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), yesterday, grounded operational activities at the headquarters of Sterling Oil exploration over alleged expatriate abuse and other anti-labour practices.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), yesterday, grounded operational activities at the headquarters of Sterling Oil exploration over alleged expatriate abuse and other anti-labour practices.
The leadership of the union, who gathered at the entrance of the company’s office in Lagos as early as 6:00 a.m., brandished placards and chanted solidarity songs criticised the management of Sterling Oil of abusing the expatriate quota system, which they alleged had led to discrimination against skilled Nigerian workers in the oil and gas sector.
Addressing journalists and union members at the protest, President of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, alleged that the company had over 10,000 expatriates, who were all natives of India, working in Nigeria.
The move, he said was monopolising jobs that Nigerians are qualified to perform with the Indian nationals.
Osifo said: “Our members in Sterling have been pushed to the background; they should tell us how many Nigerians are working in Sterling today that are managers.
“However, when you go to other international oil and gas companies, you have Nigerians even as managing directors, deputy managing directors, executive general managers, general managers, and so on.”
While he called on the government to urgently intervene in the matter, Osifo said the picket was the first in the series of activities that would be happening, threatening that if plans to agree failed, it would continue until there was a resolve.
“If this is not corrected, this has a propensity of leading to a national strike, where we will call out our members across the nook and cranny of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
“Also, remember, the oppressions of the entire oil and gas industry in Nigeria are manned by our members, and we will call them out; the entire oppressions will be grounded. So, government must act, and the time to act is now,” Osifo said.
Other accusations include the sacking of some of the union’s members and, therefore, called for their reinstatement. Responding, the company through a communiqué signed by the management, said all workers have been directed to start work at home pending the time the issue will be resolved.
Related
2 hours ago
Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has suspended its policy requiring students to present proof of fee payment during examinations for those applying for student loans through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The institution’s Rector, Sylvester Omoruyi, made the announcement on Tuesday during a sensitization program organized by NELFUND at the polytechnic’s main campus. “The issue…
2 hours ago
Goods, shops, and properties worth multiple millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire incident that razed parts of the popular Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The fire, which broke out at midnight, left behind trails of loss, wailing, and anguish. Many traders lost multiple shops in the inferno, with one…
2 hours ago
The Nigerian Women Crusade for Good Governance (NWCGG) has called on suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to use her time away from the Senate for self-reflection and professional therapy. The group also tendered an unreserved apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Nigerian Senate over what it described as unfounded allegations made by Natasha. Addressing…
2 hours ago
The Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, in a bid to restore order and sanity to the state's urban landscape, has issued a stern warning to individuals and organisations engaging in unauthorized development practices. The Commissioner expressed strong displeasure over the rampant disregard for laws governing physical planning and urban…
2 hours ago
The Imo State Government has debunked reports in a section of the media claiming that Governor Hope Uzodimma said that the Charter of Equity had been passed into law. A statement issued on Tuesday evening by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, clarified that the governor never made such a statement…
2 hours ago
A severe rainstorm in Ekiti State has damaged several houses and infrastructure. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the incident occurred between March 5 and March 6 when a heavy rainfall was witnessed in the Moba, Ijero, Ado, and Ekiti East local government areas of Ekiti State The affected communities have been visited…
3 hours ago
The House of Representatives on Tuesday took a significant step towards establishing the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State. Already, a bill aimed at achieving this objective has scaled the second reading stage at a plenary session of the House, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abass. The…
3 hours ago
A peace advocacy group based in Sankera has strongly condemned the recent violent attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on Mbagena Community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, emphasizing that these attacks were unwarranted and unjustified. According to the group, the attack which left 11 people dead, undermines the significant progress made by security…
3 hours ago
Protesters at the National Assembly entrance, yesterday, demanded stricter sanctions against Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, if she continued to mobilise supporters against the Senate.
3 hours ago
The Police in Nasarawa State have confirmed the death of six persons, while scores were wounded in a communal clashes between herders and farmers in Farin Dutse, in Nasarawa Local Council.
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.