The Rivers State COVID-19 taskforce has arrested 21 offshore workers of ExxonMobil.
The workers were arrested in Bori, Khana Local Government Area on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has said the arrest of the 21 ExxonMobil offshore workers who are its members by the Rivers State Government is illegal, and unnecessary flexing of muscle by the police.
PENGASSAN in a statement on Friday signed by its National Chairman, Razaq.A.Obe and its Secretary, Kings .J. Udoidua, said ExxonMobil Nigeria, like other responsible organizations, has adopted 14 days’ isolation of all personnel as a prerequisite for offshore travels in order to mitigate COVID-19 risk.
According to PENGASSAN, “ExxonMobil has facilities in Akwa Ibom State and one in Port Harcourt (Intels) to achieve (1) above. Recall the federal government of Nigeria exempted oil and gas workers on essential service from COVID-19 restrictions in FCT, Lagos State, and Ogun State. The same was mirrored in various communications from Rivers State government which have permitted unfettered movements of other IOCs’ essential service personnel and critical materials.
“At about 3:30 pm on Thursday, April 16, 2020, Rivers State commissioner of police with his team and a top Army commander intercepted the convoy (protected by the police) conveying 21 ExxonMobil personnel who are PENGASSAN members on their way to Intels, Port Harcourt, at Bori (Akwa Ibom/Rivers boundary).
“The commissioner rebuffed all explanations and forced them to move to Elekahia Stadium, Port Harcourt, where they have been detained, verbally assaulted and starved.
“The original pretext for sending them to the stadium was to test for COVID-19 but there was no such possibility at the location; it is a construction site. They rather served them papers to write statements.
“It is appalling that Rivers State authorities have turned the global effort to tame COVID-19 to a tool of muscle-flexing and petty oppression of oilfield workers.
“We condemn the continued detention of the 21 members of our Union who stake everything to produce the oil the country depends on for survival.
“We call on all stakeholders to prevail on the government of Rivers State to end this most unpleasant drama. Our members have broken no law”.
