Warri, Delta State — In a dramatic escalation of long-standing grievances, support workers at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) on Monday, May 5, 2025, shut down operations at the refinery over poor remuneration, poor working conditions, and the continued silence of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) management.
The peaceful but resolute demonstration blocked the facility’s main gate, barring contractors and staff from entry. Protesters wielded placards reading: “Our salary can no longer take us home,” “WRPC paying our cleaners N34,500 is wicked and evil,” and “We played major roles in the Quick-Fix — give us good condition of service.”
Decade-Long Struggle Reaches Boiling Point
Speaking to The Bureau Newspaper, Mr. Dafe Ighomitedo, Lead Representative of the support staff, said the workers are protesting “workplace slavery,” noting that the struggle dates back to 2015.
“We’ve endured this for 10 years. Each time we protest, management comes up with promises and schemes that end in disappointment,” Ighomitedo said. “Right now, the highest-paid support staff earns just N164,000, while cleaners take home a meagre N34,000 monthly.”
No More Promises: Workers Demand Action
Despite an appeal from the Acting Managing Director and his team, the protesters refused to stand down, insisting that years of broken promises had destroyed any remaining trust.
“We will remain here until our demands are met. No one goes in, and nothing moves,” Ighomitedo declared. “We’re even ready to remain at the refinery gates till next week if necessary.”
WRPC Shutdown Threatens Refinery Restart Plans
One of the protesters revealed that the total shutdown of WRPC would derail the planned restart of operations slated for May 2025.
“Support staff account for 70% of WRPC’s workforce. Without us, nothing moves. The restart date is now off the table,” the worker confirmed.
No Word from Abuja as Pressure Mounts on NNPC
As of press time, no official response had been issued by NNPC’s top management in Abuja. However, sources say consultations are ongoing between local WRPC officials and the national headquarters to find a resolution.
The WRPC shutdown is the latest in a growing wave of protests in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, as inflation and stagnant wages fuel worker unrest.
