Support Staff of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, PHRC, in Eleme, Rivers State, on Monday, protested over unpaid salaries and delayed implementation of an approved salary structure, giving the management 48 hours to act.
The workers, under the Support Staff Union, barricaded the refinery gate, mounted tents and displayed placards, temporarily disrupting operations at the complex, while demanding payment of seven months’ outstanding salaries and entitlements and implementation of an approved salary structure.
At the heart of the protest is a new salary structure and remuneration package which the workers said was approved by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, for implementation effective October 1.
The workers alleged that the Refinery Coordinator has refused to implement the approval.
Their demands include immediate implementation of the approved salary structure in line with the approved effective date, urgent payment of seven months’ outstanding salaries and entitlements, approval of ₦1m housing/rent relief to cushion accommodation challenges, and improved engagement between management and support staff.
Placards displayed at the gate read: “No more empty promises, January 2027 is too far to implement new salary structure,” “Refinery Coordinator must go,” and “Approved by GCEO on 1st October, rejected by RC, Support Staff demands that RC must go.”
Speaking during the protest, one of the leaders said the action was against injustice and marginalisation of support staff.
“You cannot tell us that the GCEO of the NNPCL approved something and the RC will say no. That is insubordination. It is obvious to mention that there are 800 gorillas in the room,” he said.
“We know the forces that are backing the RC, and because of that, we are calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to call the RC to order. The RC should stop using the powers of Aso Rock to intimidate workers.”
“We are saying that we are not backing down. We are following all due process to ensure that what rightly belongs to us gets to us; but if it is not implemented in the next 48 hours, to God, we are going to shut down this refinery. Not one soul will gain access to these premises.”
“Why will the GCEO approve something to be implemented for us on October 1, and the RC will say no? We object to it. A lot of us have lost loved ones in this refinery.”
