As fuel scarcity bites harder govt says PENGASSAN planned strike is against agreement

Amid the worsening fuel scarcity in many parts of the country, the Federal Government has pleaded with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to reconsider its decision to embark on strike this Monday.

The government stated that the planned strike is not in line with the discussions and agreements reached with the union’s leaders.
Following the sack of its workers by Neconde Energy Services Ltd, PENGASSAN had at the weekend threatened that it was going to commence strike on Monday midnight.

But the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, in a statement on Sunday appealed with leaders of PENGASSAN to reconsider its decision in the spirit of conciliation he had brokered between it (PENGASSAN) and the company.

The ministry said in the statement by the deputy director Press, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere, that “With the conciliation by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, the impending action by PENGASSAN stands effectively arrested in line with the provisions of the relevant labour laws whose powers are invested in the Honorable Minister.

“We recall that the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige had on Wednesday, December 13 and Thursday, December 14, 2017 brokered long hours of conciliation between PENGASSAN and Neconde Energy Services Ltd and secured an agreement.

“By that agreement, Neconde shall invite the sacked branch chairman of PENGASSAN and hold heart to heart discussion with him while PENGASSAN is to hold back proposed action pending the reconvening of the meeting in the second week of January 2018 when other contending issues relating to other oil companies would also be sorted out.

READ ALSO: Fuel scarcity may worsen as PENGASSAN issues notice of strike for Monday

“We therefore wish to appeal to the Central Working Committee of PENGASSAN to reconsider its decision, respect the agreement and call off the scheduled action in the overall interest of the nation, more so when adequate notice of strike was not given. This appeal has become imperative in order to save Nigerians from further hardship in this season of Christmas and the New Year”, the statement said.

Should PENGASSAN, a group largely made up of senior staff in the oil industry make real its announcement to begin strike this Monday, the decision will worsen the already prolonged fuel shortage in many parts of Nigeria, including Abuja and Lagos.

 

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