…Barricade Eriemu Pigging Manifold, Threaten Shut Down Of Oil Facilities If…
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Workers of Mormar Marine, a contracting firm to NPDC, HERITAGE and SHORELINE securing oil facilities from vandalization and infractions in OML 30, on Thursday, January 5, stage a peaceful protest to the Eriemu pigging manifold in Agabrha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, demanding the immediate payment of their six months salaries owed by the NPDC/Heritage Energy.
The workers who converged at the entrance of the manifold as early as 7:00am, barricaded the entrance to the manifold displaying placards with different inscription such as; Mormar Marine pay us our salaries, Morris & NPDC let the status quo be.
Addressing Journalists, one of the Coordinators to Mormarine Marine, Comrade Tennyson Oriunu lamented that there is no were in the world that labourers work and don’t receive wages.
“We are the people securing the oil facilities from been vandalized and from infractions, but in the last six month we have not been paid our salaries, even at Christmas, nothing came.
” The reason why all the workers gathered here today is to register their grievances of not being paid their six months salaries”.
He said it is a peaceful protest and the first step taken to intimate the companies involved of their pains, but noted that failure for the company management to listen and meet their demands, will be tantamount to a drastic action that may not benefit the company.
Speaking further, Comrade Oriunu disclosed that unless management of NPDC, HERITAGE/SHOTELINE OR MORMAR MARINE came out to address the situation and all salaries paid, they will shut down all oil facilities under OML 30.
The angry workers who insisted on being addressed by representative of the company, had earlier frowned at the security agents which comprises of the military, DSS and the Police that came out to address them. They said, their coming was not to meet with any security personnel but to receive their salaries right there.
On his part, Comrade Lucky Ofomukoro decried the attitude of NPDC, stating that they are owing the workers for six months, whereas there is also a rumor making the round that the contract with Mormar Marine have been terminated.
He fumed at the company for not deeming it fit to inform the workers, while querying the reason behind the termination of the contract.
“The pipelines are well secured, production is improving daily and no problem with any of the facilities, so why terminating the contract, he questions”.
He however vowed, that failure to pay them their six months salaries arrears, and renew the contract, they will begin by shutting down the manifold and locking all oil wells.
Others who spoke includes, Chief Efe Omumata Comrade Paul Agbama, both Co-Ordinators from Isoko axis. They also threatened to shut down all oil facilities if NPDC fail to do the needful.
As at the time of filing this report, the protesting workers were still at the Eriemu pigging manifold waiting to be addressed by the company officials whom were alleged to be on their way from their head office, but none arrived and could not be reached as at press time.