Oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), have strongly condemned the alleged “brutal and excessive use of force” by the military and other security agencies hired by Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services and its labour contractors against its members at the Oritsetimeyin Oil and Gas Rig.
The association, in a statement signed by the president, Comrade Festus Osifo and general secretary, Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, said the act negated the tenets of the Nigerian Constitution and all extant laws governing the operations in the country’s oil and gas sector.
The oil workers also alleged that these companies are notorious for violating signed agreements reached with various parties including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on payments and other
entitlements due to their 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; as this unconscionable act represents a grave violation of human rights and known labour conventions,” the association said.
According to them, the use of military actions against unarmed workers is completely unjustifiable and disproportionate because it is the Nigerian workers who have been subjugated to unfair workplace policies, including being paid meagre wages while working in a hazardous environment that should be the complainant.
“While we understand and commend the workers for their professional disposition to keep the Oil Rigs flowing, the response of deploying the Military to violently remove them is unacceptable and demonstrates a complete disregard for human life and the rule of law. The use of such force against unarmed civilians engaged in legitimate work is abhorrent and cannot be tolerated.
“We demand a full and transparent investigation into this incident, leading to the immediate arrest and
prosecution of those responsible for ordering and carrying out this brutal assault,” PENGASSAN said.
The union maintained that the perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions 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, and
a commitment from the relevant authorities to uphold the rights of workers and engage in peaceful conflict
resolution.
“PENGASSAN will not sit idly while such egregious human rights violations occur. We will utilise all available
avenues to ensure justice for the members and to prevent any future recurrence.
“We call on all concerned citizens, human rights organisations, and international bodies to join us in condemning this violence and demanding accountability, as silence in the face of such brutality is complicity,” the union stated.
