Some aggrieved workers of National Engineering and Technical Company( NETCO), contractor to ExxonMobil, have blocked access to the company over non-payment of their entitlements.
The workers had kept vigil at the premises of ExxonMobil for 5 days.
One of the workers, Udeme Bassey ,told newsmen on Friday in Qua Iboe Terminal at Mpanak in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.
Bassey called on the management of ExxonMobil to pay their entitlements,else they would not leave the premises of the multinational.
He said ” We will stay here as long as they delayed paying us our entitlements.
The aggrieved worker regretted the situation where ExxonMobil would invite people to work and the company supervises the work but renege on its commitment.
According to him, ExxonMobil gave NETCO contract to upgrade cables at the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) , saying that they were working under the supervision of the multinational oil company.
He disclosed that the workers mostly youths had worked for over four years in ExxonMobil and said two of their members died while on duty because their post was close to gas flaring site at QIT.
“We are working at the flare site which is against safety rules. ExxonMobil will preach this safety, but they don’t adhere to it” he said.
He added that several attempts made by the workers to meet with the Management of the multinational oil company and the Ministry of Environment and Petroleum ended in deadlock.
In his response, the Manager of Media and Communications of ExxonMobil acknowledged the blockage but said NNPC/ MPN Joint Venture had no obligation to staff of the third- party contractors.
He said ExxonMobil does not involve itself in any contractual agreements and discussions between the parties .
