The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN ) has expressed worries over the illegal detention of ExxonMobil Offshore Personnel by Rivers State authorities.
In a statement by the association’s chairman, Razaq Obe and the Secretary, Odoudua, PENGASSAN said ExxonMobil Nigeria, like other responsible organizations, has adopted 14- day isolation of all personnel as a prerequisite for offshore travels to mitigate COVID-19 risk.
The statement said same was mirrored in various communications from Rivers State government, which permitted unfettered movements of other IOCs’ essential service personnel and critical materials.
According to the statement, it has facilities in Akwa Ibom State and Port Harcourt (Intels) to operate.
PENGASSAN said: ” At about 3:30pm on Thursday April 16, 2020, Rivers State Commissioner of Police with his team and a top Army commander intercepted the convoy (protected by the police) conveying 21 ExxonMobil personnel who are PENGASSAN members on their way to Intels, Port Harcourt, at Bori (Akwa Ibom/Rivers boundary).
“The commissioner rebuffed all explanations and forced them to move to Elekaya Stadium, Port Harcourt, where they have been detained, verbally assaulted and starved.
“The original pretext for sending them to the stadium was to test for COVID-19 but there was no such possibility at the location; it is a construction site. They rather served them papers to write statements.
“It is appalling that Rivers State authorities have turned the global effort to tame COVID-19 to a tool of muscle-flexing and petty oppression of oilfield workers.
“We condemn the continued detention of the 21 members of our Union who stake everything to produce the oil the country depends on for survival.
“We call on all stakeholders to prevail on the government of Rivers State to end this most unpleasant drama. Our members have broken no law.”
Meanwhile the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Friday said he is fully prepared for legal battle against ExxonMobil.
Wike, who spoke while addressing a press conference at Government House, Port Harcourt, opined that Rivers state cannot leave corporate bodies who violated the state’s lockdown order to go free, whereas, petty traders like Akara and Groundnut sellers are charged to court for same violation.
Reassuring his people of his unflinching commitment in protecting lives and properties, Wike said he does not take orders from anybody, noting that he would do everything to stem the spread of coronavirus in the state.
Reacting, Wike said; “Yesterday, it was ExxonMobil that brought 22 people into Rivers State. Although, service commanders, including the Commissioner of Police, are pleading that we should allow them to return to Uyo. I know their predicament because they take orders from Abuja.
“But, this one, I will fight this one. I have told the Attorney-General to prepare; we are going to Court against them. We will fight this fight legally. ExxonMobil cannot bring in 22 people illegally into Rivers State.
Recalled the federal government exempted oil and gas workers on essential service from COVID-19 restrictions in FCT, Lagos State and Ogun State.
