Oil Workers’ Union Condemns Unauthorised Use Of Internal Documents
By ESTHER McWILLIS-IKHIDE
THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has clarified its position following media reports alleging maltreatment of Nigerian employees by TotalEnergies Nigeria Limited, stressing that it did not issue any statement accusing the oil company of labour abuses, racism, or violations of local content laws.
In a statement released on Tuesday, PENGASSAN’s Acting General Secretary, Comrade Jerry Amah Jr, described the publication as misleading and unauthorised, noting that the national leadership of the association was neither consulted nor involved in the dissemination of the claims.
Union Rejects Alleged Accusations
According to Amah, PENGASSAN did not accuse TotalEnergies of harassment by expatriates, discriminatory practices, or breaches of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, as suggested in the report.
“The national leadership of PENGASSAN did not issue any statement nor provide any document to the media on this matter,” he said, adding that the association operates a structured communication process that vests authority exclusively in its national secretariat.
Breach of Confidentiality Condemned
The union expressed strong concern over the publication of what it described as an internal document exchanged between staff and management, stating that it was released without authorisation.
Amah said the disclosure constituted a breach of privacy and confidentiality, an action PENGASSAN views as unacceptable and damaging to industrial relations within the oil and gas sector.
“This act undermines trust, creates unnecessary tension in the workplace, and risks reputational harm to all parties involved,” he said.
Warning Against Misuse of PENGASSAN’s Name
PENGASSAN cautioned individuals and groups against invoking the association’s name to lend credibility to unverified or unauthorised claims.
“While we recognise the right of individuals to raise issues of public concern, we strongly advise against the misuse of PENGASSAN’s identity to advance allegations that have not been validated by the union,” Amah stated.
He further clarified that the association has no affiliation with the group identified as MIND, which was referenced in the publication.
Commitment to Dialogue and Industrial Harmony
Reaffirming its mandate, PENGASSAN said it remains committed to constructive engagement with employers, regulators, and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.
“Our responsibility is to protect the welfare and professional interests of our members while promoting industrial harmony,” Amah said. “We will not support sensationalism or unverified claims that could destabilise the sector.”
Investigation and Advisory to Stakeholders
The union disclosed that it has commenced internal investigations into the circumstances surrounding the unauthorised disclosure and would take appropriate action against those found responsible.
In the meantime, PENGASSAN urged stakeholders, the media, and the general public to disregard any statement not formally issued by its national secretariat, stressing the importance of accuracy and due process in labour-related reporting.
