Photo: Protesters
Protesting Hitech workers in Awi, Akamkpa LGA of Cross River over poor treatment by expatriates
By Mandy
Workers handling Section 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project have embarked on a strike over alleged salary cuts, unpaid entitlements, intimidation and poor working conditions.
The workers began the protest on Monday, demanding the removal of some expatriate managers and the reinstatement of Mr Asuquo Ukpayang as the Cross River Liaison Officer.
They also accused the project management of arbitrary dismissals, unfair treatment and failure to pay them for work done, insisting that the industrial action would continue until their demands were addressed.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, who visited the company’s construction yard in Awi, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, on Wednesday, observed the protesting workers and military personnel deployed to protect the facility.
The workers alleged that some expatriate officials had refused to work with Ukpayang and instead appointed a Community Liaison Officer they could control.
A quality control and laboratory worker, Mr Esikere Peter, alleged that the management had reduced the number of paid working hours, resulting in significant salary losses for employees.
Peter further claimed that work done during night shifts was excluded from some workers’ records, leaving them unpaid for duties performed until 11pm.
He accused a project manager of arbitrary dismissals, intimidation and threats, alleging that workers were penalised for requesting materials needed to perform their duties.
“We are demanding the removal of the project manager, the site manager, and the earth-moving supervisor, who have continuously treated workers unfairly.
“We are not protesting to destroy property or cause violence. We just want Nigerian workers to be treated fairly and with dignity,” he said.
Similarly, a trailer driver, Mr Stephen Oke, accused the expatriate officials of intimidating and disrespecting Nigerian workers.
Oke alleged that Nigerians performed most of the construction work under harsh conditions but were subjected to poor treatment and inadequate pay.
Another worker, Mr Ana Matthew, who handles earth-moving operations and level checks, said employees worked under difficult weather conditions without adequate shelter.
Matthew also alleged that the management had reduced workers’ pay despite their working during the day and at night.
He further accused the company of selling scrap materials previously shared among workers without their consent.
The worker also alleged that military personnel deployed to the construction facility were being used to intimidate the protesting employees.
Matthew called for the return of personnel familiar with the project’s foundation, noting that the workers had supported the highway construction because of its potential to improve road connectivity across the Niger Delta.
Some female workers also complained that the company had failed to provide separate toilet facilities for women, alleging that expatriate staff had access to multiple facilities.
Reacting to the protest, Ukpayang said he was aware of the workers’ complaints about salary deductions, unpaid entitlements and alleged unfair treatment.
He disclosed that the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Mrs Eyoanwan Otu, had previously raised concerns about the welfare of workers with the company’s management.
According to him, she urged the company to ensure that workers were treated fairly.
Ukpayang pledged to engage the company’s senior and local management, the Federal Controller of Works and the Minister of Works to facilitate dialogue and resolve the dispute.
He urged the protesting workers to remain peaceful and nominate representatives for negotiations, assuring them that their legitimate grievances and outstanding payments would be addressed.
The workers, however, insisted that Ukpayang was the only person they wanted to represent them in the negotiations.
Efforts by NAN to obtain the company’s reaction were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to its representatives went unanswered.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the flagship infrastructure projects of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The proposed highway is designed to connect nine coastal states: Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
The project is being executed across multiple work fronts and is intended to improve transportation links, facilitate trade and enhance connectivity along Nigeria’s coastline.
