The House of Representatives has directed the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the management of Warri Refining and Petro-chemica] Company (WRPC) to reinstate over 300 casual workers relieved of their jobs pending the outcome of a investigation into the issue.
Adopting a motion initiated by Rep. Thomas Eveyitomi at the plenary presided by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, the House mandated its Committee on Petroleum Down Stream to probe the issue
The committee was also asked carry out a forensic investigation into the recent recruitment of graduate trainees by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) with a view to determine how many persons were recruited from the various host communities.
Eveyitomi while moving the motion remarked that WRPC had gone ahead to sack over 300 casual staffs of the Refinery, in spite of the Federal Government directives that no government agency or private establishment not to sack or lay off any of its staff due to the Coronavirus pandemic in the country.
The lawmaker claimed that all the affected persons are indigenes of the host communities where the Refinery is located, which is made up of Itsekiri and Urhobo communities.
He said it was unfortunate that the NNPC went ahead to recruit 1,050 graduate trainees against the resolution and recommendations of the House.
Arguing that the recruitment did not reflect the principles of fairness as enshrined in Section 28(2) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Act , he said it behoves the House to wade into the matter to avert the likelihood of a breakdown of law and order and interruption of the smooth operations of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company and its subsidiaries.
Samaila Suleiman (Kaduna) brought an amendment to the motion on the need to include the Kaduna Refinery on the basis that about 170 workers from the host community were recently sacked. The prayer was also granted.
