**Aggrieved workers want NNPCL GCEO, Engr. Ojulari to intervene
By: Celestine UkahÂ
23 Host Community Workers in OML 42 Jones Creek NEPL, JPMT, IMPAC, NECONDE, and AMARANTA field operation workers are demanding immediate full employment of their workers in the company in order to avert the shutdown of the 50,000 Bbd oil production firm.
The OML 42 Jones Creek Host Community Workers stated this Monday, June 9, in a press release made available to newsmen by the worker’s Chairman,: Johnbull Tortor, on behalf of other workers.
The workers are calling on the NNPCL GCEO, Engr. Bayo Ojulari to intervene by urging the management of OML 42 (NEPL, JPMT, IMPAC, NECONDE, and AMARANTA) to address their grievances, which include regularization and fair compensation of the Host Community Workers among other industrial-related issues.
The workers’ statement read in part thus:
“We, the host community workers in OML 42 Jones Creek field operation, wish to bring to the attention of the new Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL and the general public the urgent need for the management of NEPL, JPMT, IMPAC, NECONDE, and AMARANTA to regularize our employment and review our salaries in line with industry standards.
“Since July 2017, we have served as production operators and technicians, contributing to the successful production of over 50,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD). Despite our dedication and expertise, OML 42 management has consistently failed to recognize our contributions through proper employment regularization and fair salary adjustments. Instead, after eight years of committed service, they are attempting to demote us to casual worker status under the guise of ‘support staff,’ disregarding the experience we have gained over the years.
“Furthermore, while we continue to be sidelined, the management has secretly employed individuals from outside our host communities, many of whom lack the requisite qualifications or experience. Ironically, we are responsible for training these recruits, only for them to be favored over us in employment upgrades and salary adjustments, simply because we are from the host communities. We demand an end to the employment of unqualified individuals over experienced host community workers.
“The financial hardship imposed on us as a result of this unjust treatment is unbearable. Despite working in the oil and gas sector, our families struggle to afford two square meals, pay school fees, and meet essential living expenses. This exploitation is unacceptable.
“We, therefore, call on the state and federal governments to intervene immediately and compel the management of OML 42 (NEPL, JPMT, IMPAC, NECONDE, and AMARANTA) to address our grievances. Should our demands for regularization and fair compensation continue to be ignored, we will have no choice but to shut down production at OML 42 without further notice,” they stated.
