Operations at Oil Mining Lease (OML-18) in Rivers State have ground to a halt following industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.

The OML-18 facility, located along the Cawthorne Channel between Degema and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas, was shut down as the union took a stand against NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited (NEOL), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

In a strike directive issued on Wednesday by PENGASSAN’s Port Harcourt Zonal Assistant General Secretary, Sere Nwikiabeh, members were ordered to “withdraw your services immediately until our demands are met.”

According to the union, the shutdown follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum and an additional grace period without any resolution. PENGASSAN accused NEOL management of being “adamant to our demands” despite repeated engagements.

The association said Its grievances include the non-deduction and remittance of outstanding check-off dues for members attached to ND Engineering Limited, the failure to redeploy such members to other contractors, management’s refusal to respond to its Charter of Demands for the commencement of branch Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations, and the continued non-recognition of the Branch Executive Committee’s “due rights and privileges.”

In an earlier letter dated July 14, 2025, PENGASSAN accused NEOL of “persistent unfair labour practices,” including failure to remit check-off dues, refusal to address its Charter of Demands, and ignoring the elected branch leadership.

“Despite several reminders and engagements, management has continually failed to address these matters,” the letter stated.

The union warned that the strike will continue until NEOL addresses all concerns, stressing that it is prepared to take every lawful step necessary to safeguard members’ rights and interests.

The action, it added, will significantly disrupt operations at NEOL until an agreement is reached. (The PUNCH)