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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
A national think tank, Movement of Intellectuals for National Development (MIND), and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have raised alarm over the maltreatment of Nigerian workers at Total Energies.
PENGASSAN, in a terse letter to the Managing Director/ Country Chair, Comrades Abdulhameed Rabiu and Opuwariboko Wilson, branch chairman and secretary respectively, highlighted issues of harassment, unethical conduct, intimidation, and serial violations of Nigerian Local Content laws
Following the heels of PENGASSAN, the Western coordinator of MIND, Ebi Warekromo, in the petition to the Nigerian Senate, a copy obtained by our correspondent, stated that there have been several breaches of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGID) Act at TotalEnergies.
Warekomo, who referenced the letter by PENGASSAN, pointed out that issues of unethical conduct, excessive and unjustified influx of expatriates in violation of Nigerian Local Content laws, and associated security concerns are concerns that should be investigated.
The petition drew attention to expatriates who have been working without completing the mandatory biometric registration with the Nigerian Content Monitoring Development Board (NCDMB) in clear violation of the NOGID Act and
It also raised the issue of expatriates who continue to occupy positions meant for qualified Nigerian professionals and those who have completed their assignment in the company but remain in the employ of the company in Nigeria in flagrant violation of Nigerianisation and succession provisions of the NOGID Act.
Also, the petition submitted that Nigerian companies with demonstrable capacity and track records were overlooked during the award of contracts, contrary to provisions of the NOGID Act.
Warekomo explained that the several breaches of the violations of the NOGID Act have led to institutional ridicule and marginalisation of Nigerian professionals, financial loss and career stagnation of Nigerian staff, denial of employment and labour rights.
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The group therefore prayed the Nigerian Senate, through the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, to direct the NCDMB to investigate these clear breaches of the NOGID Act and apply corrective and punitive action where applicable.
The petition further implored the Senate to direct the Federal Ministry of Interior (Citizenship and Business Department) to ensure strict compliance with expatriate quota approval and mandatory knowledge transfer requirements.
It also demanded that the Senate mandate the Nigerian Immigration Service to clarify the immigration and work permits of the affected expatriates and enforce full compliance with immigration laws.
Warekomo maintained that MIND remains committed to national progress and would continue to expose practises that undermine Nigeria’s development to ensure timely corrective actions are taken to build a just and prosperous nation.
