By Hosea Parah, Abuja
In a recent press release, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has raised concerns regarding the intended sale of Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) Onshore Assets to the Renaissance group. PENGASSAN, representing the interests of oil and gas workers in Nigeria, has expressed reservations regarding the consortium of companies involved in the sale and the potential impact on employees.
The consortium, which includes ND Western Limited, Aradel Holdings Pic, The Petrolin Group, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, and the Waltersmith Group, has been described by PENGASSAN as an “assemblage of unknown entities” with no proven track record in managing such diverse assets.
PENGASSAN strongly rejects the terms affecting employees that were communicated in the presentation by Shell Management. The association has highlighted that one of the companies in the consortium has a history of subjugating workers and subjecting them to hardship, as evidenced in the current management of OML 34. Additionally, another company within the group has been accused of preventing workers from unionizing and imposing unfavorable conditions of service.
PENGASSAN has warned that any attempt to transfer the assets without first resolving the issues affecting its members will be met with fierce resistance from the industry. The association calls on the consortium to engage in serious discussions with PENGASSAN, rather than the perceived superficial engagement currently being conducted by Shell Management.
While expressing concerns over the planned sale, PENGASSAN has also communicated to its Shell/SNBO Branches to remain focused on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiation, which is scheduled to take place in the coming week.
In light of their concerns, PENGASSAN has placed the industry regulator, JV Asset partners (NNPCL, Non-Operated Asset Partners), and other stakeholders on notice, urging them to take the issues raised by the association seriously.
PENGASSAN, represented by Comrade Lumumba. I. Okugbawa, General Secretary, and Comrade Festus Osifo, President, remains committed to protecting the rights and welfare of oil and gas workers in Nigeria. The association will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary actions to safeguard the interests of its members.