…CAPPA criticizes Nigeria’s economic polices
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has called on the federal government and oil industry stakeholders to urgently increase welfare packages and health protections for oil and gas workers, citing growing health and economic threats posed by gas flaring.
Speaking at a press briefing to mark the 2025 Workers’ Day, PETROAN National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, highlighted the severe health risks oil workers face, particularly in host communities where gas flaring remains rampant.
Gillis-Harry urged the government and oil companies to improve health insurance coverage and welfare packages, stressing that the hazardous nature of the job demands stronger protections.
“Studies have shown that workers in areas where gas flaring is prevalent are at high risk of several health challenges, including cancer and mental health issues. These are the people who power our economy, yet their well-being is constantly under threat.”
Beyond the human cost, PETROAN warned that continued gas flaring and poor worker welfare could hurt industry productivity, increase operational risks, and discourage investment.
“If we want a more productive and resilient oil and gas sector, then the health and welfare of its workers must be prioritized. We also need stricter enforcement of existing regulations to end gas flaring once and for all.”
Gas flaring, the practice of burning off excess gas during oil extraction, has plagued Nigeria’s energy industry for decades; causing pollution, environmental degradation, and serious health consequences for nearby communities and workers.
PETROAN emphasized that ending gas flaring would not only protect workers and communities but also signal a more sustainable future for Nigeria’s most critical revenue-generating sector.
“Ending gas flaring is both an environmental and economic imperative. It’s about saving lives, preserving the environment, and ensuring long-term industry growth.”
In addition to its industry-specific demands, PETROAN also commended state governors who have implemented or exceeded the new minimum wage and called on others to follow suit.
Meanwhile, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has lamented warned that workers across Nigeria face worsening economic conditions, stagnant wages, and unsafe workplaces, as the group referenced a projected rise in poverty levels—an estimated 13 million more Nigerians expected to fall below the poverty line by year-end.
CAPPA in a statement by its Media And Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, also criticized Nigeria’s economic policies, stating, “It is the neo-liberal and pro-market policies imposed by the World Bank and IMF through usurious loans that are the main reasons behind the socio-economic crisis facing Nigeria today.”
The NGO urged the government to implement a true living wage and crack down on illegal expatriate employment, which they claim has displaced many qualified Nigerians from gainful jobs.
“This day serves as a reminder of Nigerian workers’ struggle for dignity, safety, and equity in and out of the workplace,” Egbe stated.
