Coastal Highway workers protest, demand removal of expatriate managers

Workers handling Section 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project have demanded the removal of expatriate managers over alleged salary deductions, unpaid entitlements, intimidation and poor working conditions.

The workers, who began protesting on Monday, vowed to sustain the action until their grievances were addressed. Security personnel, including soldiers, have been deployed to the project site.

The protesters also demanded the reinstatement of Mr Asuquo Ukpayang as Cross River Liaison Officer, alleging that expatriate managers had refused to work with him because he represented their interests.

Speaking to reporters, a quality control and laboratory worker, Esikere Peter, alleged that the management had reduced paid working hours, resulting in salary losses, while some night shifts extending until 11 p.m. were allegedly excluded from workers’ records.

Peter further accused an unnamed project manager of arbitrary dismissals, intimidation and threats, claiming that some 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,” he said.

He maintained that the protest was not intended to destroy property or cause violence but to demand fair treatment and dignity for Nigerian workers.

A trailer driver, Stephen Oke, also accused the expatriate managers of disrespecting and intimidating Nigerian employees, alleging that local workers performed most of the tasks under harsh conditions but were underpaid.

Another worker, Ana Matthew, who handles earth-moving operations and level checking, alleged that employees worked under harsh weather conditions without adequate shelter and suffered payment reductions despite working day and night.

Matthew further alleged that scrap materials previously shared among workers were sold without their consent. He also accused the authorities of using military personnel deployed to the site to intimidate protesters.

Some female workers separately complained that the company had failed to provide separate restroom facilities for women, alleging that expatriate staff had access to multiple facilities.

Reacting, Ukpayang said he was aware of the complaints concerning 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 workers’ welfare with the company’s management.

Ukpayang pledged to engage the company’s senior and local management, the Federal Controller of Works and the Minister of Works to facilitate dialogue, urging the protesters to remain peaceful and nominate representatives for negotiations.

The workers, however, insisted that he was the only person they wanted to represent them in the negotiations.

Efforts to obtain the company’s reaction were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to its representatives went unanswered.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a federal infrastructure project designed to connect Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.