Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Labour tension is escalating at the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, Train 7 project in Bonny, Rivers State, as the National Association of Plants Operators, NAPO, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Daewoo Engineering & Construction Nigeria, DECN, over alleged abusive tax practices, threatening a one-day warning strike if demands are unmet.
The ultimatum dated January 13, 2026, follows a resolution of the association’s National Administrative Council, NAC, which accused Daewoo of unlawful PAYE tax deductions, victimisation of workers, and non-compliance with directives from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
In the petition, signed by the President General of NAPO, Comrade Harold Benstowe, and addressed to the Project Director of Daewoo at the NLNG Train 7 site, NAPO warned that its members would down tools after the expiration of the notice period.
“The National Administrative Council of the Association NAPO has resolved to mobilize all her members in your employ for a one-day warning strike after the expiration of this seven days ultimatum,” the union stated.
NAPO said the dispute is already before the Minister of Labour and Employment, noting that the Ministry had earlier directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending resolution.
Despite this, the association alleged that Daewoo ignored the directive and embarked on what it described as intimidation and unlawful disengagement of workers.
“It beats our imagination that you did not only fail to listen to the voice of reason, but acting with impunity embarked on witch-hunting of members of the Association NAPO,” the letter said.
The union further accused the company of using “mobs and unprofessional security personnel” to eject workers from their duty posts, allegedly to suppress complaints linked to “tax fraud cases levelled against your organisation.”
Among its key demands, NAPO called for the immediate recognition of its branch executives at the Train 7 project, reinstatement of workers disengaged since August 2025, and proper tax registration of all affected employees.
The association also demanded evidence of remittance of all PAYE deductions from November 2021, when Train 7 foundation works commenced, or a refund to workers.
“Proofs of remitted taxes of all the money deducted under the purported pretext of tax deductions must be made available… or refund the purported deducted stolen money to the workers,” NAPO insisted.
Additional demands include the settlement of outstanding pension remittances and an end to what the union described as “indecent employment practices” at the project site.
Benstowe, said the association would not relent in protecting its members.
“We shall never allow the members of the Association in your employ to be defrauded despite their commitment to comply with regulations that warrant their employers to deduct taxes from source,” he said.
The warning was also extended to Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, SCD-UJV, and other contractors participating in the NLNG Train 7 project, urging them to comply with the union’s demands.
The NLNG Train 7 project is a flagship gas expansion programme expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s LNG capacity, but the looming industrial action raises concerns over potential disruptions if the dispute is not urgently resolved.
