The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has raised concerns over the rising number of Indian expatriates in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, accusing companies of abusing the expatriate quota system.
PENGASSAN President, Mr. Festus Osifo, highlighted that in companies like Sterling Oil, “Indians outnumber Nigerians,” even in low-level jobs like vulcanizing and gatekeeping. He claimed that companies are manipulating the system by registering multiple entities to bring in expatriates under different names.
“Our graduates are looking for work, yet these companies continue to exploit the quota system,” Osifo said. He also pointed out that Indian workers at Indorama’s Port Harcourt facilities are paid in U.S. dollars, while Nigerians face the challenges of currency devaluation.
Osifo urged the Federal Government to act swiftly, warning, “We cannot be slaves in our own country.”
