PENGASSAN accuses firms of using military personnel to assault oil rig workers

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has accused Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services and its labour contractors of using military personnel and other security operatives to assault its members.

In a statement signed on Friday by Festus Osifo, president of PENGASSAN, and Lumumba Okugbawa, general secretary of the association, the union expressed strong condemnation of what it described as the excessive and brutal use of force by the military and security agencies.

“They are hired by Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services and its Labour Contractors against oil and gas workers at the Oritsetimeyin Oil and Gas Rig,” PENGASSAN said.

“This act negates the tenets of the Nigerian Constitution and all extant laws governing the operations in the nation’s oil and gas sector.”

The union alleged that the companies have a history of breaching agreements with various stakeholders, including its agreement with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

PENGASSAN said the breaches concern overdue payments and other entitlements owed to workers dating back to 2022.

“We warn that if the reports indicate that oil and gas workers are violently ejected from the Rig any date soon, PENGASSAN will deploy every arsenal at its disposal to frustrate such moves,” the union said.

“This unconscionable act represents a grave violation of human rights and known labour conventions.

“The use of military actions against unarmed workers is completely unjustifiable and disproportionate.

“This is because it is the Nigerian workers who have been subjugated to unfair workplace policies, including being paid meager wages while working in a hazardous environment, that should be the complainant.”

‘PENGASSAN DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ARREST, PROSECUTION OF PERPETRATORS’

The union called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those who ordered and executed the assault.

PENGASSAN stressed that the perpetrators must be held accountable under both national and international law.

“Furthermore, we demand a guarantee of the safety and security of all oil and gas workers on the Rigs,” the association added.

PENGASSAN further called on relevant authorities to commit to protecting workers’ rights and to engage in peaceful methods of resolving conflicts.