The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and NUPENG have postponed the meeting with Federal Government over their planned strike which they have put strike on hold till July 11.
Following this development, the unions said they have put the planned strike on hold.
Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, the South West Chairman, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
According to Korodo, the meeting which is scheduled to take place yesterday (Thursday) has been shifted due to public holiday declared by government to mark the Eid-El-Fitr.
The chairman, who is one of NUPENG’s representatives, said that both parties had agreed to meet on Monday, July 11 to deliberate on the issues affecting the unions.
“As a result of this, we have to put the strike which is supposed to commence today on hold to allow for useful deliberations with the government representatives.”
He said that the unions were aware of hardship the strike would cause the general public, adding that this was why the unions had agreed to meet with the Federal Government.
Korodo, however, said that the unions would have no choice than to embark on strike if government did not address labour issues affecting members.
NAN reports that PENGASSAN had threatened to embark on a nationwide strike beginning from July 7 over some issues, including the alleged mass sacking of its members by various oil and gas companies.
NAN also reported that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige was scheduled to meet with representatives of PENGASSAN on July 7, according to a statement issued on July 6, in Abuja.
The statement, signed by Mr Samuel Olowookere, the Deputy Director (Press) in the Ministry of Labour said that the “crucial meeting” was being convened to find a lasting solution to problems in the oil and gas sector.
It said that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu would also attend the meeting scheduled for 10 a.m in Abuja. (NAN)
Since everything is still pending till Monday July 11th, the public is adviced to pray for a peaceful resolution of the impasse to avoid fuel queue returning to the various fuel stations.
Meanwhile the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Thursday said that there was no going back on its planned strike slated to have commenced by 12 a.m on Thursday.
Mr. Francis Johnson, the national President of PENGASSAN made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that the issues had been pending for so long and that the government had not shown enough seriousness over the matters.
According to him, the government is trying to apply fire brigade approach to a serious matter.
“We have discussed this matter long enough for the government to address us but it closed its ears, now the authorities are calling for dialogue.
“We are ready to work with Mr President to succeed but other agencies involved in the discussion were not showing serious concern over the matter and we don’t have any choice than to proceed on strike,’’ he said.
Johnson said that the inability of the Federal Government to honour its agreements contained in May 12, 2016 Communiqué was the reason for calling for the strike.
He said that some of the issues included lingering irregular Joint Venture Funding and Cash Call Payment arrears, lack of a clear cut direction on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
Others are forceful co-option of government agencies into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and the spate of redundancy and retrenchment in the industry.
The PENGASSAN president said that several efforts to engage the government to forestall the strike were frustrated.
He said that before now, the union tried to engage the government on May 24, 2016, which was inconclusive.
He added that the engagement was later fixed for June 23, 2016, which did not take place and again for June 30, 2016 and which was unceremoniously cancelled with no date given.
“We see this as a deliberate attempt by the government to frustrate the discussion of the myriad of issues raised in the communiqué which are critical to the survival of the oil and gas industry in the country.
“Among the burning issues raised is that of the Joint Venture Funding/Cash Call arrears, which has stalled new investments and the creation of jobs and which has consequently brought about massive job losses.
“We have equally noted with great dismay that our tertiary institutions keep churning out graduates with no or very limited job placement opportunities,’’ Johnson said.
“Even for those that are fortunate to have jobs, it has been a tug-of-war getting their salaries paid as when due and are faced with redundancies on a regular basis, especially in the service sector.
“We cannot fold our hands and watch this gradual collapse of our strategic oil and gas industry and its attendant consequences on the nation’s economy.
“This is a sharp contrast to the present government avowed promised to create and retain jobs.’’
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