NLC Pickets Sterling Oil over Diversion of Contracts to Non-indigenes, Corrupt Employment Practices
…Insists Company is Enslaving Akwa Ibomites
By Ekemini Simon
Officials of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Monday, October 17, 2022 picketed the operations of Sterling Oil over what it described as infractions of Nigerian labour laws among other corrupt practices by the company.
Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) Limited operating under the tag of Natural Oil field Service Limited (NOSL), is managing the OML 13 asset of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which is based in Eastern Obolo, Akwa Ibom State.
The officials of the NLC who began the picketing by blocking the Mkpat Enin- Eastern Obolo road on Monday morning also took the protest to the operating office of Sterling Oil at Iko Town in Eastern Obolo. This hindered access to and from the company as at the time of the protest.
Speaking during the picketing, the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Sunny James said the reason for picketing the company is because they have breached several labour laws and agreement reached with the NLC.
The NLC Chairman noted that the company does not respect the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (Local Content Act) 2010.
The Act was enacted to promote the indigenous participation in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry for the purpose of improving the economic and social well being of those engaged in operating in the oil and gas industry through utilisation of Nigerian resources and services in the petroleum industry resulting in the development of indigenous capability.
Comrade James explained that although Akwa Ibom State has experienced professionals in pipeline welding, scaffolding, riggers, operators of heavy duty equipment in oil related fields, it is surprising and disturbing that Sterling Oil opted to use almost entirely Indians and non-indigenes for their contracts.
The Chairman also stated that the Akwa Ibom indigenes who are mostly given menial jobs have not been given employment letters even as their pay is below the minimum wage.
The NLC helmsman pointed out that another concern is that most indigenes conscripted to work at the company work beyond the recommended hours of labour without break stressing that some people work from Sunday to Sunday.
He said ” It is very disturbing that the few people taken in the company to work are made to work overtime from Sunday to Sunday without any overtime allowance.
” It is more troubling that none of these people they claim to have employed have been given appointment letters. This is intentionally done so that these people will not know their rights.
” The few employed are not even paid deserving wages. Outside Akwa Ibom State, they pay well. Akwa Ibom State should not be a dumping ground. The company should stop using our people as slaves.
” If the Indians who are the operators of this company do not want to pay our youths working or do not want to give Akwa Ibom people contracts, they should pack from our land. We have all the joint professionals needed for work here in NLC. How do you defend that out of 10 workers needed, seven will be from other States and they give only three slots to the CLO who will sell it.”
The NLC Chairman said that having noticed the infractions right from when the company started operations, they had written a letter to the Akwa Ibom State Government in November 2021 complaining of the situation.
Comrade James recalled that the Government of Akwa Ibom State through the Head of Service had asked that the company, starting from the indigenes of Eastern Obolo should honour the local content requirement and engage Akwa Ibom people legitimately in line with best practices.
The Chairman noted that when the NLC had noticed that the directive from the State Government was not heeded, the NLC held another meeting with the company on February 24, 2022 which agreements were reached to address the concerns.
Comrade James pointed out that after the agreement, seven months after there has been no change hence the protest.
He added ” We held several meetings with them but they have refused to heed to the agreement they signed. Rather than engage people, they went to India and brought their prisoners to come and take over the work our people should do.
” They have not respected any of the 5 points agreement we had with them. Before coming to this point, we have been completely abandoned. These negotiations started far back in 2020.”
In reaction, the Chief Security Officer of the company who addressed the NLC officials assured that the concerns of the NLC will be related to the top management. He promised to facilitate a meeting between the company and the NLC leadership before the weekend.
In response, the Chairman of NLC, Comrade Sunny James insisted that if after the meeting slated to hold before weekend does not bring practical responses to the concerns raised, the labour force in the State will be left with no choice but picket fully the operations of the company at the facilities.
Meanwhile some of the inscriptions displayed by NLC protesters read ” NOSL/NPDC we say no to casualisation of labour in our State”, ” NPDC/NOSL we have enough manpower needed in OML 13 field development. Don’t say we don’t have”. ” We demand for the construction of a fabrication yard in the host community”, ” We say no to poor standard of workmanship in our State” ” NPDC/ NOSL we want you to open your contract administration office. Give our people access to good contracts at good prices.” ” NPDC/ NOSL should stop deceiving our people. Employ us with Appointment Letters. No more payment from your pockets”