Support staff at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Eleme, Rivers State, have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), warning they will completely shut down the facility if their demands are not met.
Members of the Support Staff Union staged a protest on Monday, barricading the refinery entrance, erecting tents, and displaying placards.
The action temporarily disrupted activities at the complex. Workers are protesting seven months of unpaid salaries and the non-implementation of a new salary structure and remuneration package approved by NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari, which was due to take effect on October 1, 2026.
The union alleges that the Refinery Coordinator has refused to implement the GCEO’s approval.
Their key demands include:
Immediate implementation of the approved salary structure and remuneration package with effect from the stated date
Approval of a one-time ₦1 million housing/rent relief for eligible support staff
Urgent payment of the seven months’ outstanding salaries and other entitlements
Improved consultation between the Refinery Coordinator, managing directors, management, and recognised labour representatives on welfare issues
Placards carried messages such as “No more empty promises, January 2027 is too far to implement new salary structure,” “Refinery Coordinator must go,” “Approved by GCEO on 1st October, rejected by RC,” “Workers deserve dignity: Fair pay is our right,” and “Stop the delay, no more postponement.”
Union Chairman Bennett Isy said the new structure should have taken effect on October 1 but nothing has been done.
He described the Refinery Coordinator’s refusal as insubordination and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, alleging the coordinator was using high-level influence to intimidate workers. Isy warned that if the demands are not met within 48 hours, “we are going to shut down this refinery. Not one soul will gain access to these premises.”
Other workers echoed the hardship caused by the unpaid salaries and lack of the housing relief. Joy Osueiya rejected any delay until January 2027, stating that the GCEO’s approval should be honoured immediately and citing health and safety risks at the facility, including alleged loss of lives and injuries.
Godspower Nwakanji also appealed for presidential intervention, saying workers cannot “renew our hope in hunger and poverty” and noting the absence of adequate medical support despite years of service.
The protesters have demanded the removal of the NNPCL Refinery Coordinator. As of the latest reports, there has been no public response from NNPCL management on the ultimatum.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com