The ongoing dispute between Ogbeani community workers and the management of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, has escalated, with fears of retaliation against workers demanding better conditions. Workers’ representatives Mr. Courageous Ozor (Chairman), Mr. Ikumi Christopher (PRO), Mr. Enemuwe Peter (Secretary), and Mr. Aninwe Edward (Treasurer) have petitioned Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and security agencies, seeking intervention against what they describe as unfair labour practices and threats from the company’s management, allegedly in collusion with some community leaders.
Their primary demands include formal employment letters specifying terms of service and improved welfare packages, aligning with existing agreements and Nigeria’s Local Content Act. They accuse LPG of violating the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Ogbeani community, highlighting disparities in pay and welfare compared to other oil firms such as Agip, NEXT, and Midwestern.
Reports indicate that some workers earn as little as ₦100,000 per month, while temporary workers receive ₦80,000 or less, violating Nigeria’s Minimum Wage Act. Payment delays are also rampant, with workers alleging that as of February 9, 2025, salaries for December 2024 and January 2025 were yet to be paid.
“Management is responsible for this. If you resign before the end of the month, you won’t get your final salary or any outstanding payments,” a source claimed.
Former National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) SPCOO branch chairman, Comrade Onyeka Nwoko, condemned the situation, describing it as unlawful and exploitative. He criticized the lack of employment letters for workers engaged for years, stressing that conditions of service should be clearly outlined before employment. He also accused some community leaders of betraying their people by allowing the situation to persist.
Nwoko recalled that during Dr. Chris Ngige’s tenure as Minister of Labour, the Federal Ministry of Labour had ruled that workers should be issued formal offer letters. He warned against any move to sack workers’ representatives, vowing to escalate protests to the Delta State government if necessary.
“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes a right. Other companies provide better working conditions—why is LPG different?” he asked.
Supporting these concerns, Chief Daniel Ogu, chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), denounced the company’s tactics, stating that keeping workers for years without employment letters amounts to casualisation. He criticized LPG’s plan to lay off workers while selectively issuing offer letters to a few as the project winds down, suggesting instead that affected employees be reassigned to other branches.
The Delta State government has acknowledged the crisis. Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Hon. Peter Uviejitobor, assured that his office would act once directed by the governor. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, confirmed Governor Oborevwori’s directive to address the matter but withheld further comments pending verification.
Meanwhile, Community Accredited Contact Committee (CACC) Chairman, Prince Ezute Osale, declined to comment, while LPG’s Community Liaison Officer (CLO), Chief Lucky Ojumah, said consultations were ongoing as the state government had taken up the issue.
Amid the ongoing uncertainty, Ogbeani community workers remain fearful, worried about possible reprisals from the company’s management as they fight for their rights.
