Oil workers under the auspices of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria yesterday accepted Federal government’s plea to suspend their industrial action scheduled for today.
The decision to yield ground followed a dialogue brokered by the National Security Adviser, Major General Sarki Muktar, Chief of Staff, Service Chiefs, Minister of Labour, Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele, representatives of NUPENG, PENGASSAN and other oil industry operators.
In a joint communique issued yesterday evening by the President of PENGASSAN, Babatunde Ogun, his General Secretary, Elijah Okougbo, President of NUPENG, Peter Akpatason and General Secretary, Bayo Olowoshile, said the decision to suspend the strike was informed by the commitment shown by the Federal Government towards ending insecurity that had bedevilled the Niger Delta in recent times.
The oil union noted with regret the extent of damage caused by the violence and insecurity which had made oil business an expensive venture in the volatile region.
The unions said the matter required urgent intervention of the Federal Government.
The communique said both government and the unions resolved to set up four
committees to work in specific areas of concerns notably the committee on the criminality, a standing committee to handle labour relations issues in oil and gas sector, the security committee and deregulation and privatisation committee.
The security committee which is to be headed by the National Security Adviser has
Chief of Staff, Service Chiefs, representatives of NUPENG, PENGASSAN and the
oil industry operators as members.
The privatisation, deregulation and petroleum products subsidy committee which
NUPENG and PENGASSAN were just co-opted is chaired the Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, will exist as a sub-committee of the Presidential Steering
Committee on the Economic and Financial Meltdown.
Committee on criminality has Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro as the head while that of the Standing Working Committee on Labour
Relations issues in the oil and gas sector is headed by the Minister of Labour,
Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN).
While explaining the position of union, the NUPENG President, Peter Akpatason said the three months grace may not be extended and that the unions will take a different action to the issue if nothing concrete is done within the three months.
In order to ensure that there is industrial peace in the country, the Federal Government will today host all the trade unions in the country.
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Adetokunbo Kayode in a statement issued yesterday said the meeting will critically examine issues that could breed industrial
disputes in the work places.
Mar252009