Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited (DECN) has denied engaging in any form of negotiations with the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO) over the ongoing industrial action that has led to a shutdown of its Train 7 project site for almost three weeks.

Responding to Kristina Reports’ enquiry on the issues on Wednesday, 21 September 2022, an official of DECN, Andy Jaja was emphatic on the position of the company on the negotiations that lasted for two days held at the Atlantic Sterling Hotel and Rubicon Hotel both in Finima, Bonny LGA in Rivers State.  

“DECN AS SCD-JV WAS NOT AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN MEETINGS OR NEGOTIATIONS WITH NAPO EVER. WE WERE NOT WITH THEM WHILE MEETING OR ADDRESSING THE NAPO.”

Kristina Reports’ findings reveal that almost all items on the table for negotiations were agreed upon during the meetings remaining only the recognition of NAPO as a trade union, which the negotiators reportedly said the management of DECN insists they would only work with a registered trade union.

According to one of the negotiators, who preferred anonymity, NAPO cannot operate under the law without being registered as a trade union, surmising that its engagement with any company could only be predicated on the premise of its status as a registered trade union.

On the issue of intimidation of workers by the company, Any Jaja said due to the alleged molestation of workers by some NAPO members, security operatives were requested to escort the workers to work.  

“That was not truth, rather Soldiers went there to escort them to work not to throw them out. They are workers, not criminals, that was escort.”

Some NAPO officials had informed Kristina Reports that their members were being evicted from the temporary residential facility provided for the Train 7 project due to their identification with NAPO, stressing that it was a violation of Section 12 of the Trade Union Act (TUA) and Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution.

President General of NAPO, Harold Benstowe had informed newsmen on Sunday night that workers resolved not to return to work until the issue of NAPO recognition as their representative on the Train 7 project.