Host Community Workers in Ol Mining Lease (OML) 42, Jones Creek field operation in Delta State, have vowed to shut down production without further notice if their calls for the regularization of members' employment and review of their salaries, in line with industry standards, is continuously ignored by the management of NEPL, JPMT, IMPAC, NECONDE, and AMARANTA, operators of the oil field.

The group made their position known in a statement they issued in notification to the general public and to the new Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, on Monday, June 9, 2025.

In the statement that was signed by leaders of the group, Johnbull Tortor, Jeremiah Mulade, Henry Itsekiri, and Simon Timedi, they accused the operators of OML 42 of attempt to demote the host community workers to casual workers despite their experience on the job since 2017 as “production operators and technicians” that have contributed to the “successful production of over 50,000 barrels of oil per day.”

They group said, "Despite our dedication and expertise, OML 42 management has consistently failed to recognize our contributions through proper employment regularization and fair salary adjustments. Instead, after eight years of committed service, they are attempting to demote us to casual worker status under the guise of ‘support staff’ disregarding the experience we have gained over the years."

They further alleged that the operators of OML 42 were secretly employing personnel "from outside our host communities, many of whom lack the requisite qualifications or experience" and added that "Ironically, we are responsible for training these recruits, only for them to be favoured over us in employment upgrades and salary adjustments, simply because we are from the host communities."

The host community workers, who revealed that their current salaries are barely enough to guarantee them two meals daily, demanded "an end to the employment of unqualified individuals over experienced host community workers."

"The financial hardship imposed on us as a result of this unjust treatment is unbearable. Despite working in the oil and gas sector, our families struggle to afford two square meals, pay school fees, and meet essential living expenses. This exploitation is unacceptable," they added.

The aggrieved Host Community Workers appealed to the state and federal government at compel the operators of OML 42 to attend to their request.

"We, therefore, call on the state and federal governments to intervene immediately and compel the management of OML 42 (NEPL, JPMT, IMPAC, NECONDE, and AMARANTA) to address our grievances.

"Should our demands for regularization and fair compensation continue to be ignored, we will have no choice but to shut down production at OML 42 without further notice," they warned, and added "Enough is enough!"

#penglobalcommunity #OML42 #NNPCL #NEPL #JPMT #IMPAC #NECONDE #AMARANTA