PENGASSAN Demands Probe Of Alleged Attack On Workers At Oritsetimeyin Rig

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has demanded for a full and transparent investigation of alleged “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.

PENGASSAN claimed that the said Military and other Security Agencies were allegedly hired by Dutchford E&P,
Selective Marine Services and its Labour Contractors

PENGASSAN insisted that this incident must be investigated leading to the immediate arrest and
prosecution of those responsible for ordering the attack.

In a statement jointly signed by its General Secretary and President, Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa and
Comrade Festus Osifo, respectively, PENGASSAN decried the incident, saying “This barbaric act negates the tenets of the Nigerian Constitution and all extant laws governing
the operations in the Nation’s Oil and Gas sector.”

It recalled that it is on record that these Companies have been 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.

According to PENGASSAN, “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 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 meager 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. 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 reoccurrence.

“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.”