Oil workers under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have halted operations at Seplat Energy Plc facilities in several locations across Nigeria. The industrial action began on Monday, May 20, 2024, following the company's alleged failure to implement a 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement. PENGASSAN National President, Festus Ikenna, confirmed the shutdown, stating that Seplat has not fulfilled agreed salary adjustments and welfare packages for staff. As part of the industrial action, PENGASSAN members have taken over control of work sites in Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa states. Ikenna described the move as a lawful response to what he called "continued disregard for labour agreements." Seplat has yet to issue an official public statement on the development.
PENGASSAN's shutdown of Seplat operations reveals how fragile labour relations remain in Nigeria's energy sector despite corporate claims of stability. Festus Ikenna's decision to enforce site takeovers under a breached 2023 agreement shows unions are willing to test their leverage. For Nigerians, this means potential disruptions in gas supply and power generation if the standoff escalates. Past disputes suggest such actions often drag on with little immediate resolution.
