By Adedapo Adesanya
The House of Reps Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Project Manager, Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited, and the Project Manager of Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited to appear before it over the alleged torture and intimidation of Nigerian workers engaged in the construction of the NLNG Train-7 project in Bonny Island, Rivers State.
There has been a protracted industrial crisis between the NLNG Train-7 EPC firm, Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited, and its employees under the aegis of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), who are demanding fair labour practices in line with international best practices from the South Korean firm.
Also, the National President of NAPO, Mr Harold Benstowe, and other members of the union in October 2022 were arrested, incarcerated and arraigned over alleged obstruction of work.
NAPO accused Daewoo of using security agencies to intimidate Nigerian workers instead of paying the workers their entitlements.
Also, the Reps Committee has also summoned the Managing Director of Evomec Global Services and the Managing Director of Cico Construction and Leasing Company to appear before it on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, over the same matter.
Chairman of the Committee, Mr Jerry Alagbaoso, in a letter, said the summon is imperative following the petition brought before it by NAPO.
The petition cited the use of the military, police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies by the firms to harass, intimidate, and torture Nigerian workers under the aegis of NAPO.
Mr Alagbaoso urged all those summoned to appear before the Committee in person, with 10 copies of their brief, and warned that failure to attend the hearing on the said date, the case will be heard and determined in their absence.
The letter reads in part, “Whereas the above-named petition is now pending before this Committee and the particulars of the petition aforesaid are already within your knowledge, and whereas, the petition has been assigned to be heard by the Committee for determination.
“You are hereby required to note Sections 88 and 89 (C) of our constitution (as amended) and appear in person before this Committee on Tuesday 2nd day of May 2023 at 2:00 pm or so soon thereafter as the Committee shall direct.
“You are to submit one soft and 10 hard copies of your brief on the matter. And further take notice that if you do not attend the hearing as required, the case may be heard or determined in your absence,” the Reps Committee said.
