29 June 2015, Abuja – The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC wishes to clear the air on the report that its subsidiary, the Warri Refining And Petrochemical Company,(WRPC) owes its back up workers a backlog of eight months salaries.
A statement relewased by Ohi Alegbe, spokesman of the Corporation disclosed that “contrary to a report published by SweetcrudeReports alleging a purported petition written by one citizen Mike Eromosele calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the plight of back up workers who are being subjected to poor working conditions, the refinery does not engage the services of back up workers.
The company only engages service providers who in turn employ their own staff to carry out services for the refinery.
On the allegation of poor conditions of service and non-provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the NNPC wishes to state categorically that the wages and welfare package offered by WRPC to service providers and contractors are in line with the national minimum wage policy and among the best in the industry.
In line with NNPC Health, Safety & Environment Policy of “No harm to people, No harm to environment,” staff and service providers are provided with all necessary equipment for the successful execution of their various tasks and assignments.
On the allegation that some of the back-up staff who dared to raise questions about their plight were threatened and sacked, it is important to note that Management of WRPC follows due process and diligence in its interactions with staff and service providers and does not resort to threats or harassment for any purpose whatsoever.
WRPC, like other oil and gas industry operators, is experiencing the impact of the economic downturn in the wake of the global low crude oil price. It is therefore mandatory that it undertakes some restructuring decisions to survive and thrive.
But so far, no decisions regarding work stoppage or disengagement of service providers or contractors has been taken; therefore nobody has been sacked.”
