Nigeria losing over $50m as Pan-Ocean workers industrial action continues

By Akpos Oghenetega,

… Stakeholders urge FG, others to intervene urgently

The Nigerian Government is losing an estimated crude oil production of over 420, 000, Barrels Per Day and over 50 million Dollars since the two industrial unions, NUPENGASSAN of Pan-Ocean workers embarked on industrial action against the management of the company over non-payment of salaries, pension remittances, the welfare of workers, among others.

Investigation revealed that Pan-Ocean workers had issued several industrial actions notices to the top management of the company in pursuance to their demands but to no avail, until they shutdown OML 98, OML 147 fields, as well as the major Gas plant line supplying Egbin Power plant last December 2020 which compelled NNPC, DPR, Pan Ocean top management to a meeting, were they assured the workers that their demands will be met by the federal government.

Recall that NUPENGASSAN National President, Williams Eniredonana Akporehe and PENGASSAN National President comrade, Comrade Osifo Festus both unanimously declared and gave Pan-Ocean and federal government as well as relevant agencies 48 hours starting from December 7, 2020, to meet up the demands of the workers or they shut down their operations.

Chairman of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN, Pan Ocean branch, Comrade Rex Aibangbee, NUPENG Branch Chairman, Comrade Aboy Udi, PENGASSAN as well as  NUPENG National PRO, Comrade Cogent Ojobor and PENGASSAN, Warri Zonal Council Vice Chairman, Comrade Prince Audu Peter Oshiokhamele, reiterated that the two union presidents had directed that they shut down operations if NNPC, NAPIMS Ministry of Petroleum doesn’t resolve the issue amicably by paying the workers what’s due them.

Accordingly, the federal government in their joint meeting held with both NUPENGASSAN and their National leaders agreed to the workers’ terms, however, with a Cavite that NNPC will pay the workers 60 percent, while Pan-Ocean takes care of its top management, but after it was reviewed, the federal government agreed on outright payment of 100 percent in order for easy takeover of the assets by NPDC.

As of today, Pan-Ocean has refused to sign a memorandum of understanding MoU, with the federal government through the NNPC its subsidiaries and the staff of Pan-Ocean in order to release the fund to pay and settle the workers. And also to stop the industrial unrest which has led to the loss of almost 500,000 BPD of crude oil production and almost losing about 900 million cubic feet of gas production due to the shutting down of the various production well facilities.

Stakeholders in the oil and gas sectors are urging the federal government and the top management to urgently intervene in order to save the economy from such huge losses and possible economic collapse if the industrial unrest continues.

The workers also stressed the need for government to prevail on Pan-Ocean top management to settle the issue promptly in order to encourage peaceful and industrial harmony among workers and Pan-Ocean management.