By George OPARA
About 50 retired workers of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC)Thursday, embarked on a peaceful protest at the Port Harcourt operational base of the company, now under the management of Oando Plc, over alleged failure to honour welfare agreements struck during the transition of ownership.
The pensioners, under the platform of the Association of AGIP Oil Company Pensioners, Port Harcourt Chapter, gathered at the facility’s main gate, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs as they demanded implementation of commitments they made during the transition process.
The retirees alleged that apart from assurances that their welfare and entitlements would remain protected following the acquisition and management transition, the new management had reneged on the agreed obligations.
While speaking with journalists, Chairman of the association, Engr. Paul Sito, said the protest became the last resort after efforts to engage the management failed.
“We were assured that we would not be left behind during the transition process, but what we are witnessing today is different from those assurances”.
But the protesters urged Oando’s management and other key stakeholders to respect subsisting Memoranda of Understanding and keep to internationally recognised standards governing pensioners’ welfare and post-service obligations.
Further, they called for urgent intervention to solve growing concerns over their welfare and the implementation of agreements made before the change in ownership.
The protesters populated by elderly retirees, highlighted impacting anxiety among former employees over pension and welfare arrangements following the restructuring of corporate operations in the oil and gas sector.
As at the time of filing this report, Oando management is yet to issue an official reaction over the demands or allegations stacked against them by the retirees.
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