The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has expressed alarm over what it described as persistent unsafe practices in oil and gas operations, warning that negligence is putting workers’ lives at risk.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Energy and Labour Summit (PEALS) on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in Abuja, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, cited disturbing incidents in offshore fields where workers were forced to use ropes to offload materials from boats instead of proper lifting equipment.
“Just imagine the cost to human lives. If any of them falls into the waterway, they are gone. Life is truly precious,” he said. Osifo also recalled the October 2024 helicopter crash in Bonny, which claimed the lives of three union members, stressing that safety in the sector must never be compromised.
Also see: EFCC Urges Lawmakers to Prioritise Accountability in Governance
Beyond safety concerns, Osifo criticised frequent policy reversals, including recent amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), saying such changes undermine investor confidence. He also demanded stronger action on gas flaring and site remediation, noting that global investors are increasingly prioritising environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance.
In response, Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, pledged government support for workers’ safety, fair wages, and skills development. He emphasised that raising health, safety, and environmental standards was “non-negotiable,” warning that the cost of negligence far outweighs the investment in prevention.
