Susan Abayomi
The Coalition for Better Nigeria has called on the Federal Government and relevant regulatory agencies to investigate allegations of unfair treatment of Nigerians and host communities by some multinational oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta.
The group made the call at a press conference, urging the government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and other relevant authorities to examine the operations of multinational companies in the region.
The coalition said the proposed investigation should cover employment practices, career advancement, contracting opportunities and crude oil evacuation arrangements.
It urged authorities to ensure that qualified Nigerians, particularly people from oil-producing host communities, have fair opportunities to occupy senior technical and management positions when they meet the required qualifications, experience and performance standards.
The group also called for greater transparency in recruitment, promotion, placement and succession processes, saying such decisions should be based on merit and should not be influenced by ethnicity, place of origin or other improper considerations.
On contracting opportunities, the coalition raised concerns about alleged delays in the processing, certification and payment of invoices submitted by qualified indigenous contractors.
According to the group, prolonged payment delays could place financial pressure on local contractors who may not have sufficient resources to sustain their businesses while waiting for outstanding payments.
The coalition said the situation could affect local businesses, employment opportunities and the participation of Nigerian companies in the oil and gas sector.
It also urged the relevant authorities to examine corporate policies concerning conflicts of interest and family relationships, arguing that such policies should not automatically prevent qualified employees from progressing in their careers.
The group further called for a review of crude oil evacuation arrangements, including allegations surrounding the use or non-use of the Trans-Forcados Pipeline.
It urged NNPCL, NEPL and relevant petroleum regulatory agencies to establish whether operators are complying with approved requirements relating to metering, evacuation, fiscalisation and reporting.
The coalition stressed that its demands were not aimed at securing positions or contracts for unqualified individuals. Rather, it said the focus should be on fairness, accountability, opportunity and adherence to due process.
It added that competence, safety and performance should remain central to decisions within the oil and gas industry, while host communities should benefit meaningfully from employment, capacity development and legitimate contracting opportunities arising from petroleum operations in their areas.
The group said Nigeria’s petroleum resources should contribute not only to government revenue but also to sustainable development in communities that host oil and gas operations.
It therefore urged the Federal Government and relevant agencies to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action where violations are established, saying greater transparency could help strengthen relations between oil companies and host communities and reduce tensions in the Niger Delta.
