Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has vowed to take decisive action against Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company, SEEPCo, for repeated violations of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010, including the alleged illegal deployment of expatriates and non-compliance with Nigerian Content regulations.
The move follows a protest by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, at SEEPCO’s headquarters in Lagos, where union members accused the company of anti-labour practices and expatriate quota abuses.
In response, NCDMB commended PENGASSAN for exposing the company’s infractions and assured that the Board would investigate the matter exhaustively.
“We are delighted that PENGASSAN has served as a whistleblower over the alleged expatriate quota abuse by SEEPCO. We assure the union and the public that we will take the necessary actions,” the Board said in a statement.
The NCDMB in the statement revealed that SEEPCO has a long history of non-compliance and had been sanctioned multiple times.
“In 2017, SEEPCO deployed five expatriates without the required approvals. NCDMB penalized the company and directed it to train five Nigerians in marine engineering and subsurface drilling engineering as remediation.
“In 2018, the Board discovered 402 expatriates working illegally for SEEPCO, alongside unauthorized project contracts. NCDMB ordered their disengagement, compliance with expatriate quota processes, full remittance of the Nigerian Content Development Fund, NCDF, and the training and employment of 40 Nigerians.
“In 2020, SEEPCO sought an out-of-court settlement and committed to meeting the Board’s requirements. While it trained 40 Nigerians by 2022, the employment commitment was not fulfilled, and NCDF remittances remained incomplete.
“Despite several engagements, SEEPCO continued to flout Nigerian Content regulations. In 2023, it obtained approvals for only three expatriate positions, bringing its total approved quota to seven between 2017 and 2023.
“SEEPCO has refused to comply with key Nigerian Content requirements. The Board has now scheduled a performance review for March 2025 to determine further actions,” NCDMB stated.
The Board further emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for expatriate quota abuses and reiterated that oil and gas companies must comply with the NOGICD Act.
“NCDMB is committed to the full enforcement of the Nigerian Content Act to create employment opportunities for Nigerians and deepen local participation in the industry,” the statement added.
The Board warned that companies that repeatedly violate Nigerian Content laws will face strict sanctions, urging industry stakeholders, including oil unions, to continue reporting non-compliance cases to protect local jobs and expertise.
