Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has directed its leaders to step up mobilization for members for a possible nationwide strike over the lingering dispute with operators Oritsetimeyin oil rig culminating to military occupation and ejection of workers from the rig.

NUPENG in a response to a statement by Dutchford E&P , accused by Dutchford Exploration and Production Company Limited of by economical with the truth, describing as unfounded claims by Dutchford Exploration and Production Company Limited in alleged attempt to deflect responsibility and undermine the sacrifices of workers especially NUPENG members.

In a statement by its President and General Secretary, Prince Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, respectively, said “Dutchford E&P cannot claim ignorance of the immense sacrifices made by Nigerian workers on the Oritsetimeyin oil rig. Our members have worked tirelessly and safely for eight (8) months without any accidents in one of the most critical and hazardous job environments.

“This exemplary safety record is a testament to their dedication, discipline and professionalism, which Dutchford E&P has conveniently chosen to ignore.

“There is no evidence to support Dutchford E&P’s baseless accusations that our members have threatened to sink the rig or harm anyone. These claims are cheap blackmail, false, and unfounded but also a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of NUPENG and its members who have toiled nights-and days to improve the oil and gas industry.

“Contrary to Dutchford E&P press release NUPENG has a total of 80 members on Dutchford E&P operations but 40 members on the Oritsetimeyin oil rig at any point in time as shift workers. Here is a complete breakdown of the entire list of personnel on that rig: NUPENG members onboard are 40 SMS Expatriates are 12, SMS Contractors (expatriates and national are 10, Client (Dutchford) are six. Client Contractors (including Nigerian Navy, Schlumberger, Relentech, Nemstec Librod) are 26, Galley staff (ENS) are 12, Total Personnel on board, POB is 106.

“The crux of the matter, which Dutchford E&P has deliberately refused to acknowledge, is their breach of an agreement. Dutchford E&P and their contractors, Selective Marine Oil and Gas Services Limited, are parties to an agreement with NUPENG, which they have blatantly reneged on. This breach of agreement is the root cause of the ongoing industrial dispute, not the fabricated threats they are claiming.

“Dutchford E&P and Selective Marine Oil and Gas Services Limited have shown a clear intent to exploit Nigerian workers, leveraging their connections and power to act with impunity. This arrogance is evident in their refusal to honour agreements and their attempts to shift blame onto the workers. We expect any responsible principal operator in the oil and gas industry to take issues of workers seriously and not see them as slave -tool.

“The likes of Dutchford E&P are beneficiaries of Nigeria local content policy which organized labour vigorously campaigned and canvassed for and ensure its enactment into Law. As an organized labour union, we will not stand by and allow the exploitation of Nigerians to continue.

“We demand that Dutchford E&P and Selective Marine Oil and Gas Services Limited do the needful by honoring the agreements and treat Nigerian workers with the decency, dignity, fairness and respect they deserve.
Failure to do so will result in continued and escalated industrial actions to ensure justice for our members. We call on our highly respected Military and security agencies not to be used by these self-serving corporate entities to subvert the rights of Nigerians.”
|SituationReport|