The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) is gearing up for a showdown with oil companies over the growing trend of hiring expatriates at the expense of qualified Nigerian professionals. Speaking at a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, PENGASSAN’s National President, Festus Osifo, criticised firms, particularly those employing Indian workers, for violating local content laws.
Concerns Over Expatriate Quota Abuse
Osifo revealed that many companies are disregarding regulations that limit the number of expatriates allowed in Nigeria’s oil sector. “We’ve seen cases where even roles like vulcanisers and conductors are given to expatriates,” he lamented, pointing to Indorama as an example of a firm previously called out for similar practices.
PENGASSAN called on the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Ministry of Interior to tighten oversight and enforce local content rules more effectively.
Plans for Action
The union pledged to take decisive action to ensure compliance, emphasising that job opportunities should prioritise Nigerians. Osifo highlighted past successes in reducing expatriate dominance in companies like Total Energy, expressing confidence that similar efforts would succeed again.