By Paul Olayemi

WARRI — Operations at the Warri office of the NEPL/Neconde Joint Venture Partnership Team (JPMT) were disrupted on Tuesday as workers engaged in OML 42 operations staged a protest over what they described as unresolved welfare and employment concerns.

The protesters, comprising both host community and non-host community personnel working under O&M contractor IMPAC Oil & Gas Services Limited and related operational structures, called on the Federal Government, labour authorities, industry regulators, community leaders, and other stakeholders to intervene in their grievances.

Carrying placards bearing various messages, the workers expressed dissatisfaction over issues relating to salaries, welfare packages, allowances, and career development opportunities. Some of the placards also called for the removal of the Operations Manager, Mr. Collins Ifezue.

According to representatives of the protesting workers, efforts spanning several years to engage management through letters, meetings, negotiations, and other channels have not yielded satisfactory outcomes.

The workers alleged that despite rising inflation and increasing living costs, their remuneration and welfare conditions have not been adequately reviewed to reflect current economic realities.

Among the concerns raised by the protesters were salary reviews, payment of outstanding bonuses and incentives, improvement in field and welfare allowances, transportation and accommodation support, enhanced training opportunities, and clearer pathways for career advancement.

The workers further alleged that employees performing similar roles within OML 42 operations may be subject to different welfare and compensation arrangements depending on their employment structure, a situation they said has affected morale and perceptions of fairness within the workforce.

According to the protesters, the issues have persisted despite their continued support for production activities and repeated assurances that their concerns would be addressed.

They also expressed concern about the impact of the situation on workers’ families and host communities, arguing that many long-serving employees have struggled to cope with increasing economic pressures while awaiting improvements in welfare and employment conditions.

The protesters emphasised that their demands extend beyond salary increases, stating that they seek a transparent and sustainable framework that recognises long service, promotes professional development, and ensures equitable treatment of workers.

They appealed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), Neconde JPMT, community leadership, and other stakeholders to investigate their concerns and facilitate dialogue aimed at resolving the dispute.

In addition, the workers called for a review of management practices and urged the leadership of the organisation to consider changes within the operational management structure.

Specifically, they called on the Group Managing Director, Mr. Ernest Obi Jackson, to review concerns they raised regarding the leadership of Operations Manager Mr Collins Ifezue.

The protesters also alleged that workers have experienced challenges relating to tax deductions and employee benefits since 2017. However, these claims could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.

Efforts to obtain comments from the company’s Human Resources department were unsuccessful as of press time.

Management of NEPL, Neconde JPMT, IMPAC Oil & Gas Services Limited had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of this report.