Scores of workers handling Section 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project have embarked on strike over alleged salary cuts, intimidation and poor working conditions.

The workers began the protest on Monday, demanding the removal of expatriate managers and the reinstatement of Asuquo Ukpayang as Cross River liaison officer.

They accused the management of unfair treatment, unpaid entitlements and arbitrary dismissals, insisting that the strike would continue until their demands were met.

During a visit to Hitech’s construction yard at Awi, Akamkpa council area, on Wednesday, protesting workers and military men deployed to protect the facility were seen.

The workers alleged that expatriates on the project refused to work with Mr Ukpayang and appointed a community liaison officer they could control.

Esikere Peter, a quality control and laboratory worker, alleged that the firm’s management reduced paid working hours, resulting in significant salary losses.

Mr Peter also alleged that night shifts were excluded from workers’ records, leaving some employees unpaid for work performed until 11:00 p.m. He accused a project manager of arbitrary dismissals, intimidation and threats, alleging that workers were penalised for requesting materials 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,” Mr Peter explained.

 Stephen Oke, a trailer driver, accused the expatriates of intimidating and disrespecting Nigerian workers. He alleged that Nigerians performed most of the work under harsh conditions but were maltreated and underpaid.

Ana Matthew, an earth-moving and level-checking worker, alleged that employees worked under harsh weather conditions without adequate shelter. He accused the management of reducing workers’ pay despite working day and night, and selling scraps previously shared among employees.

Mr Matthew also alleged that military operatives deployed to the facility were being used to intimidate the protesting workers.

Some female workers also alleged that the company failed to provide separate restroom facilities for them, while expatriates had access to multiple facilities.

Reacting, Mr Ukpayang said he was aware of the workers’ allegations. He said the wife of the Cross River governor, Eyoanwan Otu, previously communicated concerns about workers’ welfare to the company’s management. According to him, she urged the company to ensure equitable treatment of workers.

Mr Ukpayang pledged to engage the company’s senior and local management, the federal controller of works and the works minister to facilitate dialogue and resolve the dispute.

He urged the workers to remain peaceful and nominate representatives for negotiations, assuring them that legitimate grievances and outstanding payments would be addressed.

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

Hitech did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, one of President Bola Tinubu’s flagship infrastructure projects, is designed to connect nine coastal states (Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River).

(NAN)