The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has threatened to withdraw its members from all upstream operations if Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company fails to resolve ongoing labour disputes. The union also demanded the removal of 10,699 Indian expatriates working with the firm in 15 locations across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo warned that failure to meet their demands would cripple the upstream industry, where the union represents 90% of the workforce. He accused the company of anti-labour practices and violating the expatriate quota system, leading to discrimination against Nigerian workers.
Last week, the union picketed Sterling Oil’s headquarters over alleged breaches of labour laws. Osifo stated that the firm’s expatriate quota allocation violated Section 32 of the Nigerian Content Development Board Act. He urged the government to enforce existing laws or risk significant revenue losses if workers withdraw their services.
“So if we have done all these and nothing is done, we will declare a national strike. By the time we withdraw our members from the upstream, the entire sector will be grounded,” Osifo warned. He called on authorities to decide between enforcing Nigerian laws or siding with the oil firm.
Asked about the strike timeline, Osifo said the union had already informed members at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, halting lifting operations. “Their operations are under lock and key. If the government fails to act, we will shut down those plants and declare a nationwide strike,” he added.
The looming industrial action threatens to disrupt Nigeria’s oil production, potentially affecting revenue and energy supply if the dispute remains unresolved.
