Both construction and economic activities have been paralysed for 11 days at the ever-busy construction sites of the ongoing NLNG Gas Train 7 project in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers Stateover poor pay packages and other allowances.
This follows the strike action embarked upon by the amalgamated unions under the umbrella of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), affiliates of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) working in CISCO and Daewoo E&C Nigeria Limited/Nigeria in Bonny.
The two firms are the major companies handling the construction of facilities for the Train 7 gas project in the island area.
Sources said that the strike action has caused major setbacks in the expected time for the completion of the project,as the country looks forward to becoming one of the major gas exporting countries across the globe.
The protesting workers are also demanding for the recalling of over 60 members sacked by the two major contracting firms because of their membership of NAPO.
Speaking to journalists in Bonny,the National President of NAPO, Comrade Harold Bestowe, condemned the actions of the management of the two companies for interfering in the freedom and rights of workers to freely choose unions of their choice,adding that their action was a pure violation of the rights of the workers as enshrined in the Labour Act as well as the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He berated the companies for not finding ways to resolve the labour unrest, but instead forcing the workers to belong to preferred union of the company management’s choice.
The NAPO helmsman also accused the Bonny Local Government Council chairman of abandoning her responsibilities of maintaining peace and order in the area, alleging that she has turned herself as conduit to coarse workers to belong to pre-determined union against their choice.
He commended the workers for taking the bull by the horns to end what he called modern-day slavery employed by the companies operating in the area, and assured that he would continue to lead the protest until their demandsweremet.
“NAPO, today, Thursday, 15th September, 2022, starting from 5am, is going to inconvenience the Nigeria LNG at her exit road leading to the gas plant in Bonny LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria.
“This is as a result of efforts by her contractor, SAIPEM/Daewoo Unincorporated Joint Venture to put in place a system that is against the extant labour laws that protect freedom of association. Nigeria LNG has become an anti-labour organisation.
“We, the members of NAPO and other sister affiliate trade unions of TUC, are suffocating and we need a fresh air to breathe.
“It is now a matter of life and death situation that needs emergency response.
“Nigeria LNG must speak to end up the apartheid system where colour and race determine the wages of workers participating in the Nigeria LNG construction and maintenance workforce.
“Where the rights of freedom of association are breached and her facility is being used as a modern day slave camp instead of workplace.
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“NAPO Say NO ‘to the interference of employer’s in the choice of workers to choose her union and her leadership for the purpose of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)’.”
Reacting to the workers’ allegation of interference,the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council,Dame Anengi Barasua, denied forcing the workers to belong to any labour union against their choice and wishes,adding that determining which union workers in the company join does not form part of her jurisdiction.
She, however,said she only invited the union executive and the management of the two companies to see how they can resolve the lingering crisis, and not to mingle into union matters.
“Union matters are not my jurisdiction. What I told the management of the two companies during the meeting was to reinstate the workers allegedly sacked,while the workers go back to work”, she stated.
In his response,the Manager,Human Resources,CISCO,MrCharles Omakoro, denied sacking any worker because of union matters, but argued that the decision was premised on the fact that the company was winding down its contract with NLNG as regards the project.
“We have few works, and we cannot continue to keep many people when there are few jobs to do”, he stated.
However,the Project Manager of DEAWOO E &C Nigeria, LNG Project, Bonny,Yeosan Kim,in his response,, declined to speak on the real reasons why the company sacked the workers,adding that he was not incharge of union matters in the company.
Also,a Senior Admin Officer in the company simply called, Mr Clifford, said he was not authorised to speak on behalf the company, and referredThe Tideto Mr
Similarly, Andy Jaja and Matthew Duru, who are incharge of public affairs, and community and security matters, respectively, refused to pick their calls or reply text messages sent to their various mobile lines.

By: Amadi Akujobi