Staffers of the Italian Energy Eni Group Subsidiary operating in Nigeria- Nigerian Agip Oil Company staged a protest in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, calling for an immediate suspension to Oando Plc’s acquisition of the company’s assets.
They obstructed access to Agip’s Port Harcourt facilities and appealed to the Federal Executive Council, the National Assembly, and regulatory authorities to intervene and stop the transaction.
Eyong Survival, who is the leader of the demonstrators and the chapter chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the company led the protest.
Reason Advanced for the protest
Mr. Eyong advanced that the purported acquisition process violated established labour laws and fears that it could lead to the termination of more than 3,000 jobs. He further revealed that the assets in question included Oil Mining Leases in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Imo states.
In response to the situation, the employees decided to suspend their services at all Agip-operated facilities while awaiting a satisfactory resolution from the company and relevant stakeholders.
The impact of this work stoppage was already noticeable, as gas supplies to critical infrastructure and communities had been disrupted.
Requests from the Employees
Mr. Eyong reinterated that if the sales were to proceed as planned, the affected employees should be provided with special severance packages.
Additionally, those eligible for transfer to the new owner, Oando Plc, should be able to do so without encountering unnecessary obstacles.
The Beginning of The Story
Oando Plc had had in the past announced the agreement reached with ENI to acquire 100% of the shares of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
Although this acquisition still remains subject to approval from regulatory agencies and the Nigerian Government.
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