OpeOluwani Akintayo, with agency report
Lagos — The Oando subsidiary, OVH Energy Marketing Ltd., has laid off 70 workers due to “current challenges in the downstream oil sector”.
Gogomary Oyet, the Group Head, External Relations and Communications of OVH Energy Marketing Ltd, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Tuesday.
According to him, the sacked workers were paid their entitlements.
Oando Marketing Ltd., in 2016, changed its brand name to OVH Energy Marketing Ltd. The change of name was to reflect the then recapitalisation and corporate restructuring of the company aimed at admitting new shareholders.
According to Oyet, the severance exercise is a decision made after due consultations with stakeholders.
“It was done after extensive discussions for over eight months at the local, zonal and national levels of the relevant unions.
“The severance package realised from these conversations were acceptable and signed by all parties before the implementation of the exercise.
“We have executed this exercise strictly in line with the terms of agreement which was approved and signed by all named chapters of PENGASSAN and OVH Energy Marketing’s management,” he said.
Oyet also said the company had introduced a voluntary exit package for workers who were not affected by the severance exercise but wished to move ahead with other ventures.
“It is important to state that all those affected by this exercise went through an outplacement programme.
“This got them ready for life outside OVH Energy which includes financial planning, health management, and entrepreneurship,” he said.
According to him, the interest, well-being, and welfare of the employees are important to the company.
He added: “We remain committed to sustaining a diverse, safe and respectful work environment.
“OVH Energy is always looking to optimise its products and services offered to the market and making sure the supporting processes and organisation is in line with that objective.
“Any further organisational change will always happen in consultation and agreement of relevant unions and stakeholders.”
The retrenchment which started in December 2018 is still ongoing.
