The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has expressed concern over the increasing number of Indians in the oil and gas industry, alleging abuse of the expatriate quota system. PENGASSAN’s President, Festus Osifo, raised the issue at the Energy and Labour Summit in Abuja, stating that Indians are taking over low-level jobs, including vulcanizers and gatekeepers.
Osifo said, “They are taking over low-level jobs, which is a blatant abuse of the expatriate quota system. In Sterling Oil today, it will amaze you to discover that we have more Indians working there compared to the number of Nigerians.” He added that the union has engaged the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to address the issue without success.
Osifo alleged that companies have manipulated the system by registering numerous Shell companies to facilitate the influx of expatriates, with over 200 companies registered. He said, “When they are bringing in 10 Indians, they will use one company. Tomorrow, when they are bringing in another 20, they will use another company.”
PENGASSAN has engaged in stakeholder discussions for two years without result, leading Osifo to warn that confrontation may be the next step. He emphasized that Nigeria’s oil resources belong to Nigerians and should benefit them first. He called on the Federal Government to protect Nigerian workers’ rights and opportunities.
Osifo also highlighted the case of Indorama’s facilities in Port Harcourt, where the number of Indian nationals employed surpasses that of Nigerians. He noted that Indian workers are paid in U.S. dollars, while Nigerian workers face the effects of currency devaluation. Osifo said, “This situation is unacceptable and it must be addressed now.” He urged authorities to take decisive action against companies exploiting the expatriate quota system.
