Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The House of Representatives is investigating Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited over alleged unfair labour practices.
In this regard, the House Committee on Public Petitions committee has summoned the Project Managers of the two companies to appear before it over alleged torture and intimidation of Nigerian workers engaged in the construction of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, Train-7 project on Bonny Island, Rivers State.
Recall that there has been a protracted industrial crisis between the NLNG Train-7 Engineering, Procurement and Construction, EPC, firm – Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited – and its employees under the aegis of the National Association of Plant Operators, NAPO, who are demanding for fair labour practices in line with international best practices from the South Korean firm.
National President of NAPO, Mr. Harold Benstowe, and other members of the union were in October 2022 arrested, incarcerated and arraigned over alleged obstruction of work, an action which NAPO accused Daewoo of orchestrating, using security agencies to intimidate Nigerian workers, instead of paying the workers their entitlements.
Meanwhile, the Reps Committee has also summoned the Managing Director of Evomec Global Services, and Managing Director of Cico Construction and Leasing Company to appeared before it on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, over the same matter.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso, in a letter sighted by our correspondent, said the summon is imperative following the petition brought before it by NAPO.
The petition cited the use of military, police, the Department of State Services and other security agencies by the above mentioned foreign and local construction firms to harass, intimidate and torture Nigerian workers, who are members of NAPO.
Alagbaoso urged all those summoned to appear before the Committee in person, with 10 copies of their brief, and warned that failure to attend the hearing on the said date, the case will be heard and determined in their absence.
The letter reads 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 2:00pm or so soon thereafter as the Committee shall direct.
“You are to submit one soft and 10 hard copies of your brief on the matter. And further take notice that if you do not attend the hearing as required, the case may be heard or determined in your absence.”
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