Port Harcourt, Nigeria — Operations at the Oil Mining Lease (OML-18) facility in Rivers State have been completely halted following an industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The shutdown affects the oil asset located along the Cawthorne Channel between Degema and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas, and is directed at NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited (NEOL), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

In a strike order issued Wednesday, PENGASSAN’s Port Harcourt Zonal Assistant General Secretary, Sere Nwikiabeh, instructed members to “withdraw your services immediately until our demands are met,” citing the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum and a grace period without resolution.

The union accuses NEOL management of ignoring repeated engagements and failing to address several key issues, including:

• Non-deduction and remittance of outstanding check-off dues for members attached to ND Engineering Limited.
• Failure to redeploy those members to other contractors.
• Refusal to commence negotiations on a branch Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Non-recognition of the Branch Executive Committee’s “due rights and privileges.”

In a July 14 letter, PENGASSAN also accused NEOL of “persistent unfair labour practices” and disregarding its Charter of Demands.

“Despite several reminders and engagements, management has continually failed to address these matters,” the letter read.

The union warned the strike would continue indefinitely until all concerns are resolved, adding that it is prepared to take all lawful measures to protect members’ rights.

Industry observers say the shutdown is likely to disrupt production at OML-18, which is a key asset in Rivers State’s oil output, until an agreement is reached.