The Akwa Ibom State Government has issued a warning to Sterling Global Petrochemical Company, an international oil prospecting firm operating in Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, and Eastern Obollo local government areas, regarding reported mistreatment of local workers.
The state has mandated the company to provide the employment status of all individuals working on its projects, including expatriates, or risk having its license and land revoked.
Chief Assam Assam, SAN, the Director General of Government Business and former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and Belarus, who chairs the mediation committee between the oil firm and the affected communities, issued this warning on Monday. He was responding to allegations of the company’s disrespect and non-compliance with worker engagement rules.
Assam emphasized that any employment of Akwa Ibom workers must meet globally accepted conditions, whether in public or private sectors. He criticized the company’s insensitivity and use of military intimidation, stating the government will not tolerate actions that treat Akwa Ibom residents as second-class citizens.
“Sterling Global must learn from Governor Umo Eno’s labor-friendly approach and act as a responsible corporate citizen. Failure to comply will result in the state government revoking the land granted to the company. We will not accept our people being reduced to slaves in their own land. We need to see the list of your employees to ensure no arms are imported under the guise of equipment,” Assam stated.
He further warned that non-compliance would lead to the revocation of all licenses and land grants, and the expulsion of unverified expatriates from the company’s facilities.
Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr. Aniefiok Nkom, criticized Sterling Global for its irresponsible operations, disregard for court orders, and refusal to engage with the state government to resolve ongoing issues.
Mr. Okon Okon, Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, revealed that Sterling Global has not paid any tenement or PAYE taxes, indicating a deliberate attempt to evade taxes.
Transition committee chairmen for Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, and Eastern Obollo LGAs lamented the hardships inflicted by Sterling Global and praised the state government for intervening as the situation had become intolerable.
When asked to provide the staff list, Sterling Global’s Human Resource Manager, Mr. David Walker, admitted he did not have it with him but mentioned that 3,710 people are employed on the company’s projects. Walker presented the company’s conditions of service but clarified it did not include the positions and salaries of expatriates, as these are only for nationals.