Worried over the continued disruptions to the $12 billion Train 7 project and its impact on its members’ businesses, the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA) has called on concerned stakeholders to embrace dialogue with a view to achieving an amicable resolution.

A statement signed by BOCCIMA Director General, Constance Nwokejiobi, and made available to Kristina Reports on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Bonny Island, Rivers State, said the Chamber was concerned over developments at the Train 7 project site.

“The Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA) expresses concern at recent developments at the NLNG Train 7 project site in Bonny Island, Rivers State.”

Expressing optimism that the impasse between the workers and engineering, procurement and construction contractors of the project can be on a conciliatory and amicable note, BOCCIMA appealed de-escalation of tension at the project site.

“These developments, allegedly stemming principally from prolonged labour union issues between the workers and the Management of the EPC contractors of the project, SCD JV (a Joint Venture made up of Saipem, Chiyoda and Daewoo), which we believe could have been resolved on a more conciliatory and amicable note.”

The statement stated that BOCCIMA President, Amairigha Edward Hart notes that the $12billion Train 7 project, which at the moment provides a major source of economic transformation in Bonny Island, also avails hope, especially, in the Gas sector of the Nigerian economy”.

The President of BOCCIMA, Sir Amairigha Edward Hart notes that the $12billion Train 7 is a huge project, which at the moment provides a major source of economic transformation in Bonny Island, and hope, especially, in the Gas sector of the Nigerian economy.

The Train 7 project has employed many Nigerians in hundreds and thousands as well as engaged several businesses directly and indirectly aside expectations on proposed corporate social responsibilities and business opportunities for BOCCIMA members.

BOCCIMA pointed out that the disruptions and consequential scale down of operations on the Train 7 project site was not the sought-after solution, asserting that given the economic impact the project was having on diverse stakeholders, it was imperative to keep the project running.

“Disruptions and scale down of operations at the project site does not necessarily help the controversial issue on union negotiations which we believe should be managed internally without affecting other stakeholders that depend on the project for sustenance. Rather, a continual operation of the project site with more strategic engagement would more likely facilitate a faster resolution of the dispute.”

“As a Chamber, we will thus suggest the activities at the project site be managed with best practices and hereby call on all parties concerned within the dispute to seek a more amicable option in resolving their issues at this period the Country’s economy is undergoing a lot of challenges thereby affecting so many families and businesses.”

BOCCIMA, which prides itself as the ‘voice of business’ in Bonny Kingdom, pledged to “support with advocacy and enlightenment of the economic gains of the Train 7 project amongst its members and other relevant stakeholders with a view to achieving the right business environment and advantages while improving the economy of Bonny Kingdom”.

The concern raised by the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA) is viewed as apt and timeous given the protracted labour related impasse engendered by disagreements between workers on the project and the management of Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited (DECN) over working conditions.

The DECN section of the project site had seen a loss of over 500,000 manhours due to downtimes occasioned by the protest embarked upon by the workers under the aegis of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO) led by its President General, Harold Benstowe.

On its part, DECN told Kristina Reports that it declined discussions with NAPO because it was not a registered trade union, despite claims by NAPO that it was undergoing registration at the Office of the Registrar of Trade Unions and as such it was qualified to discuss working conditions for its members with their employers.

Checks by Kristina Reports indicate that, so far, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), among others have made interventions aimed at breaking the impasse.

Hopes are high, however, that the situation would find denouement soonest, as the prolonged downtimes were already threatening the project delivery timelines, as well as engendering an economic crisis in the local community, Bonny LGA.