NLNG Train-7: Reps summon Daewoo, Saipem over workers petition
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Project Manager, Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited, and the Project Manager of Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited to appear before it over alleged unfair labour practices against Nigerian workers engaged in the construction of the NLNG Train-7 project in Bonny, Rivers State.
The committee also summoned the Managing Director of Evomec Global Services, and the Managing Director of Cico Construction and Leasing Company to appear before it on May 2, 2023, over the same matter.
There had been a prolonged industrial dispute between the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, Train-7 EPC firm, Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited, and its employees under the aegis of the National Association of Plant Operators.
The association was demanding fair labour practices in line with international best practices from the South Korean firm.
The National President of NAPO, Mr Harold Benstowe, and other members of the union were arrested, detained and arraigned over alleged obstruction of work on October 2022.
NAPO accused Daewoo of using security agencies to intimidate its members, instead of paying them their entitlements.
In a letter sighted by correspondent, the Chairman of the committee, Jerry Alagbaoso, said the summon was imperative following the petition brought before it by the National Association of Plant Operators.
In its petition against the construction firms, NAPO accused them of using the military, police, the Department of State Services and other security agencies harass and intimidate its members.
Alagbaoso urged all those summoned to appear before the committee in person, with 10 copies of their briefs.
The committee warned those summoned that should they fail to attend the hearing on the said date, the case would be heard and determined in their absence.
The letter read in part, “Whereas the above-named petition is now pending before this committee and the particulars of the petition aforesaid are already within your knowledge, And whereas, the petition has been assigned to be heard by the committee for determination.
“You are, hereby, required to note Sections 88 and 89 (C) of our Constitution (as amended) and appear in person before this committee on Tuesday, 2nd day of May 2023 at 2:00 pm or so soon thereafter as the committee shall direct.”
