NAPO Disclaims Negotiation Role in $10 Billion NLNG Train 7; Alleges Huge Wages Disparity — Nigerian Workers Earn $120 While Foreigners Earn $7,000 Above

The National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO) has strongly denied claims that it participated in wage negotiations for Nigerian workers at the Train 7 project of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) in Bonny Island, Rivers State.

In a rebuttal he sent to Kristina Reports, National President of NAPO, Harold Benstowe denied a recent claim allegedly made by a staff of NLNG’s Public Affairs Department, Emmanuel Nwatu, in a Daily Trust Newspaper report.

He described the allegation that NAPO was involved in a negotiation that resulted in a “humongous disparity” between expatriates and Nigerian workers as “a blatant lie that cannot stand the test of time”.

“NAPO will not stoop so low to negotiate for a dollar less than $9 per hour in order to disenfranchise Nigerian workers. We never negotiated any terms with Nigeria NLNG, Daewoo or SAIPEM.”

According to him, “Nigerian workers earn as little as $120 monthly, while expatriates performing the same roles are paid between $6,000 to $8,000”.

He alleged that this disparity exists despite the $10 billion valuation of the project and its signed salary structures.

Benstowe also claimed that security operatives were deployed to suppress NAPO members while their right to freedom of association was denied, despite workers opting out of other unions

He criticised the National Assembly, alleging that both the Senate and the House of Representatives failed to investigate the matter despite receiving petitions from NAPO.

“They killed the probe just like they did with NDDC. after we petitioned the National Assembly, they silenced and buried the issue.”

“They killed the probe just like they did with NDDC. After we petitioned the National Assembly, they silenced and buried the issue”.

Due to what NAPO describes as persistent marginalisation, the union has filed a ₦500 billion suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), presided over by President of the court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, OFR.

Benstowe warned that if Nigerian courts fail to deliver justice, NAPO will escalate the matter to international Court.

“We will not hesitate to drag the Federal Government, NLNG, and all her partners to either the UN Court or the European Court of Human Rights. Our rights must be upheld.”.

He concluded by reaffirming that NAPO was not involved in the disputed negotiation process and called on NLNG to “stop telling lies to the public.” Two plant operators working on the NLNG Train 7 project, who spoke with Kristina Reports on condition of anonymity, stated unequivocally that there was never a time NAPO was involved in salary negotiations with either NLNG or its engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors.her NLNG or its engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors.