UPDATE: Work Resumes at Train 7 Project as Bonny LG Chairman Intervenes

Construction activities fully resumed at the Train 7 project site of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) in Bonny, Rivers State following the intervention of the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Abinye Pepple.

Pepple had appealed to the workers on Thursday, October 16, 2025 to resume work while his administration interfaces with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, NLNG and other stakeholders work to address their grievances.

Majority of the workers, who are staff of labour contractors to Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited (DECN), comprised of welders, fitters and other specializations.

They had shut down the Daewoo section of the Train 7 project protesting over-taxation, illegal deductions, and non-issuance of tax clearance certificates and tax identification numbers.

Public Relations Officer at DECN Train 7 Project, Sotonye Ibiama confirmed to Kristina Reports over the telephone on Friday, 17 October 2025 that work has fully resumed on the company’s section of the project.

“Yes, the junior workers and welders and fitters are here on site doing their legitimate job, while some junior workers, welders and fitters are yet to resume.”  

“As management, we will be waiting from today to Monday for others to resume.”

The Bonny LGA Chairman’s appeal came after the presentation of an investigative report on the issue by a committee he set up to probe the issue at the Government Lodge in Bonny and a second meeting with representatives of the protesting workers, heads of security agencies, and other stakeholders.

Addressing the workers who took their protest to the Government Lodge, Pepple said he was concerned about the welfare of the workers, as well as the peace and security of the LGA.

He assured them that his administration abhors victimization of any sort and will work to resolve the issue amicably while they return to work.

“That’s my area of concern; where workers will go back to work, the company will do the needful, so that we know where is the payment going to? How much is your company to deduct at various categories of workforce? How much is most appropriate to be deducted from your money and where is money being paid to?

“So, gradually we are making progress, but we can’t make the progress when the workers are now being given redundancy or payoffs or end of contract benefit, that is not fair. We cannot allow that.”

“So, we are saying that, whereas we are asking the management to say, “No, don’t take this step. We can’t be talking to management not to take this step when you are at home”.

“Come back, let it be done. A little to the left, a little to the right, so that as you’re working, these other new persons will join the team. My own is to support, to make sure that the writing is done.”

“We cannot allow intimidation, but at the same time, as the man that God Almighty and all of your votes have kept here, it is not a good record that the place is not peaceful.”

In response to the consensus reached at the meeting and in deference to the Bonny LGA Chairman, DECN issued a statement after the meeting, asking workers to resume work on Friday, 17 October 2025 as well as residence at the Train 7 Workers Village.    

Kristina Reports will monitor developments at the NLNG Train 7 project and continue to give updates.