Tension as Protesting OML 42 Staff Shut Down NEPL/Neconde JPMT Office in Warri Over Unpaid Welfare Packages, Poor Salaries

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Angry Host community and non-community workers engaged in OML 42 operations under the NEPL/Neconde JPMT, through O&M contractor IMPAC Oil & Gas Services Limited and its associated operational structure have shut down the company’s Warri office yesterday, calling on the Federal Government, labour authorities, regulators, community leadership, and relevant stakeholders to urgently intervene in what they described as longstanding welfare and employment challenges.

The protesting workers carried different placards with inscriptions such as “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, WE ARE TIRED OF WORKING WITH NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT, OUR FAMILIES ARE SUFFERING, OUR TAKE HOME CANNOT TAKE US HOME,  WE PRODUCE HIGH, BUT PAID PEANUT, PAY US LOC STANDARD, GIVE US OUR OUTSTANDING BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES”.

According to the workers, for more than nine (9) years they have consistently pursued peaceful engagement through formal letters, meetings, negotiations, and appeals regarding salary review, welfare improvement, career progression, and outstanding entitlements, yet many of these concerns remain unresolved.

The workers stated that while inflation, transportation costs, accommodation expenses, and the general cost of living in Nigeria have increased significantly over the years, their welfare structure has not kept pace with economic realities, leaving many workers struggling despite their continued contribution to operational stability.

Among the key concerns raised by the workers were: review of salary structures to reflect prevailing economic realities; outstanding bonuses, incentives, and other entitlements; inadequate field and welfare allowances; transportation and accommodation challenges; limited opportunities for career progression and workforce development; long periods of service without meaningful welfare improvements; concerns affecting long-serving workers who believe they have not received welfare improvements, benefits, allowances, and career development opportunities comparable to those enjoyed by their counterparts performing similar responsibilities within the industry; lack of regular training and structured professional development opportunities; and absence of a transparent framework governing welfare progression and employment growth.

The workers further expressed concern that personnel performing similar or comparable responsibilities within OML 42 operations may be subject to different welfare and compensation structures depending on their employment arrangement, creating concerns regarding fairness, equal treatment, workforce morale, and alignment with industry best practices.

According to the workers, these issues have persisted despite years of peaceful conduct, uninterrupted support for production activities, and repeated assurances that improvements would be made.

The workers further noted that the prolonged delay in addressing these concerns has had a significant impact not only on employees but also on their families and host communities. Many workers contend that despite years of dedicated service and contribution to operational success, the absence of meaningful welfare improvements has limited their ability to cope with rising living costs, support their families, and contribute effectively to community development.

The workers emphasized that their appeal is not solely about salary increases, but about establishing a fair and sustainable system that recognizes long service, rewards commitment, promotes workforce development, and ensures that workers are treated with dignity and equity.

They also called for greater attention to host community workforce development, noting that many long-serving workers believe there should be clearer pathways for advancement, training, and opportunities that can positively impact both workers and their communities.

The workers are therefore appealing to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, NUPRC, NEPL, Neconde JPMT, community leadership, and other relevant stakeholders to investigate these concerns and facilitate a constructive resolution.

They maintained that addressing worker welfare, outstanding entitlements, training opportunities, accommodation, transportation, and fair employment practices is essential not only for the well-being of workers and their families, but also for industrial harmony, operational stability, increased productivity, and sustainable community relations within OML 42 operations.

The staff further added
“Since 2017 there have been outrageous tax deductions from workers’ income even before the Federal Government implemented the new tax reform.
The workers have also been denied their benefits which they enjoyed while under other counterparts. Since IMPAC began operations in 2017 these benefits have not been given to workers till date.
We are calling on the GMD, Mr. Ernest Obi Jackson, to use his good office to bring a competent persons to handle workers activities,” the statement read.