The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has condemned what it describes as the ‘ brutal and excessive use of force’ by the military and other security agencies against oil and gas workers at the Oritsetimeyin Oil and Gas Rig in Delta State.
A statement issued by PENGASSAN on Friday alleged that Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services, and its labor contractors were involved in the violent incident.
It says the companies have a history of violating signed agreements with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and other parties since 2022.
PENGASSAN National President Festus Osifo warned that any further violent ejection of workers will be met with fierce resistance, citing grave violations of human rights and labour conventions.
He called for a full investigation, immediate arrest, and prosecution of those found culpable
PENGASSAN said it considers the military action unjustifiable and disproportionate, especially in the face of Nigerian workers’ endurance of unfair policies, low wages, and hazardous conditions.
PENGASSAN wants citizens, human rights organizations, and international bodies to condemn the violence and demand accountability, emphasizing silence as complicity.
Editor Oloyede Oworu