ExxonMobil shuts down operational headquarters

The operational headquarters of a major oil company in Nigeria, ExxonMobil, has been shut as a result of a standoff over industrial dispute between management and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

This is sequel to a disagreement over laying off of more than 200 workers, out of its 1,200 work force on Monday.

In the past months, a series of sacks had characterized the company, claiming that the Niger Delta crisis has largely affected its operation in the oil rich region in Nigeria.

But the latest layoffs, sparked crisis as angry youths on Wednesday besieged ExxonMobil operational base in Upkenekang Community of Akwa Ibom.

This was followed by a sit-in strike by workers at the Lagos headquarters of the company, according to a senior management staff of the company.

The protesters, numbering over 1,000, were said to have barricaded entry and exit points to and from the company with boats, coffins, leaves and placards, with different inscriptions.

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Chairman of PENGASAN, Mr. Paul Eboigbe, said the management of the company had unilaterally issued sack letters to workers, while negotiations were still going on.

He said there would be no end to the crisis until the company recalled illegally terminated staff in the past six months.

“They are using the excuse of the recession to add more hardship to our members and we cannot accept that, “he stated.

But Mr. Oge Udeagha, the media manager of the company said,“We’re still studying the situation and will soon come up with a position soon.”

He denied that the crisis could lead to total stoppage of the company’s operations.

Meanwhile, security personnel said they were in control of the situation, but there is still the fear that the Niger Delta militants might capitalise on the situation to press further their demands.

 

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