PH refinery workers barricade gate over salary arrears …demand seven months pay, new salary structure

Support staff workers at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) have threatened to shut down the refinery if the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) fails to address their grievances over seven months’ unpaid salaries and the non-implementation of a new salary structure.

The workers, under the aegis of the PHRC Support Staff Union, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the NNPCL management during a protest at the refinery in Eleme, Rivers State, on Monday.

The protesters barricaded the entrance to the facility, erected tents and displayed placards, temporarily disrupting activities at the refinery.

The workers alleged that the new salary structure had been approved by the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, with effect from October 1, 2026, but had yet to be implemented by the Refinery Coordinator, Bayo Adelere.

They also accused the refinery management of delaying other welfare benefits and demanded urgent action on what they described as issues affecting their welfare and working conditions.

The union listed four major demands, including immediate implementation of the approved salary structure and remuneration package in line with the applicable approval and effective date.

The workers also demanded approval of the proposed N1 million housing and rent relief for eligible support staff, immediate payment of seven months’ outstanding salaries and other legitimate entitlements, as well as improved consultation between the Refinery Coordinator, managing directors, relevant management authorities and recognised labour representatives on issues affecting workers.

Some of the placards displayed by the protesters read: “No more empty promises, January 2027 is too far to implement new salary structure”; “Refinery Coordinator must go”; and “Approved by GCEO on 1st October, rejected by RC, Support Staff demands that RC must go.”

Other inscriptions included, “Workers deserve dignity: Fair pay is our right” and “Stop the delay, no more postponement.”

Speaking with journalists during the protest, Chairman of the PHRC Support Staff Union, Bennett Isy, said the workers were dissatisfied with the delay in implementing the new salary structure.

According to him, the structure was expected to take effect from October 1, 2026, following its approval by the NNPCL GCEO.

Isy said, “You cannot tell us that the GCEO of the NNPCL approved something and the RC will say no. That is insubordination.

“It is obvious to mention that there are 800 gorillas in the room. We know the forces that are backing the RC, and because of that, we are calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to call the RC to order.

“We are saying that we are not backing down. We are following all due process to ensure that what rightly belongs to us gets to us; but if it is not implemented in the next 48 hours, to God, we are going to shut down this refinery.

“Not one soul will gain access to these premises. That I assure you.”

The protesters also appealed to President Tinubu to intervene in the dispute and called for the removal of the refinery coordinator.

A female union member, Joy Osueiya, said the workers had rejected a proposal to defer the implementation of the new salary structure until January 2027.

She said, “When the RC visited the last time, he said we should wait until January 2027, and we are here to say no. January 2027 is too late.

“Why will the GCEO approve something to be implemented for us on October 1, and the RC will say no? We object to it.”

Osueiya also raised concerns over the working conditions at the refinery, alleging that some workers had suffered injuries or lost their lives while carrying out their duties.

She said, “Some have lost their arms because of how hazardous the place is. So we are here to say no. Enough is enough. Implement it now.”

Another support staff member, Godspower Nwakanji, appealed to the President to intervene, saying the prolonged salary delay had placed workers under severe financial pressure.

He said, “We cannot renew our hope in hunger and poverty.

“We cannot renew our hope when there is no medical attention. We have worked for 10 years without medical response.”

The workers said they would await management’s response to their demands within the 48-hour ultimatum, warning that failure to address the issues could lead to a total shutdown of the refinery.