The Movement of Intellectuals for National Development (MIND), a national think tank, has reached out to the Nigerian Senate, requesting an inquiry into the treatment of Nigerian workers at Total Energies.

In a petition dated January 14, Western coordinator Ebi Warekromo expressed concern over multiple violations of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGID) Act at the company.

This call for investigation arises from a letter retrieved from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which highlighted several ignored issues pertaining to workplace ethics, the inappropriate influx of foreign workers in violation of local content laws, and related security risks.

The petition cites examples such as expatriates who secured biometric registration years after commencing work in Nigeria, contravening the NOGID Act that mandates prior approval for expatriate visas; those remaining in Nigeria beyond the assignment’s completion, infringing on local employment regulations, and those occupying positions meant for Nigerians in clear breach of the Nigerianisation policy.

Moreover, the petition claims that contracts have been awarded to foreign companies without following due process, even though qualified Nigerian firms exist to perform these jobs.

It reveals that many local employees operate under the fear of reprisal for reporting these discrepancies.

According to the petition, several breaches of the violations of the NOGID Act have far-reaching implications, including institutional ridicule and marginalisation of Nigerian professionals, financial loss and career stagnation of Nigerian staff, denial of employment and labour rights, among others.

The petition, therefore, prayed the 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 tasked 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 implored the Senate to mandate the Nigerian Immigration Service to clarify the immigration and work permits of the affected expatriates and enforce full compliance with immigration laws.

Additionally, it urged the Senate to engage the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to review the employment practices of Total Energies and ensure decent work conditions for Nigerian staff.

The petition also urged the Senate to enforce the requirement of NCDMB to issue a formal letter of no objection before the approval of any expatriate quota for oil and gas operations, and ensure that all positions to be held by Nigerians are immediately held by Nigerians.

MIND expressed its committment to ensure it exposes all practises that undermines Nigeria’s development.