One month after the two unions in the oil sector � the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), suspended their warning strike, both unions gave indication weekend that they might resume the action following government�s failure to meet their demands.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of their Joint National Executive Council (NEC), the National PENGASSAN President, Peter Esele insisted that the options open to the oil workers would not be disclosed but that Nigerians should hold government responsible for the outcome of what he described as �our second phase� of the struggle. He added that the option to go back to the trenches is informed by government�s refusal to implement the agreement of the September 14, 2006 communiqu� signed by both parties.
�The Joint NEC warns that failure to comply with the implementation of the communiqu� signed with various stakeholders will precipitate the commencement of the second phase of oil workers agitation to seek redress to all the identified anomie plaguing our industry.
�The Joint NEC warns that if the issues raised in the communiqu� are not addressed in earnest, NUPENGASSAN should not be held responsible for whatever action that will follow.�
He added that the meeting also take exception to the lukewarm attitude adopted by government on the conveyance of an all stakeholders� forum that will come up with a roadmap for solving the multifarious issues militating against peace in the troubled Niger Delta region.
The communiqu� issued at the meeting read in part: �That the Joint NEC-In-Session considers as unacceptable the lukewarm attitude of the government to the convocation of the agreed stakeholders� forum with Mr. President in attendance for an acceptable roadmap to the issues of heightening insecurity, abduction, killings and other related industrial issues raised in the communiqu� of 14th September 2006.�
In the same vein, the meeting frowned at the non-composition of a commission of enquiry to investigate the killing of its member, Comrade Nelson Ujeya who was killed in the face between militants and the government forces in the oil rich region.
Again, the amalgamated unions said: �The NEC-In-Session condemns in unequivocal terms, the failure of government to constitute the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the killing of Comrade Nelson Ujeya and other community youth leaders and the failure to pay condolence visit to the bereaved family as agreed in the communiqu� of 14th September 2006.�
The oil workers also demanded for the implementation of a collective signed agreement with NUPENG and conclusion of 2006 collective agreement between WILBROS Nigeria Limited and PENGASSAN.
The meeting faulted the sale of Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemicals Company (KRPC) to the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) by the BPE, pointing out the sale could jeopardize petroleum product supply to the northern part of the country and compromise national interest.
�Consequently, and considering the fact that no new refineries have been built since the downstream oil sector deregulation, the Joint NEC hereby urge the federal government through the BPE to desist from the plan to sell off Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemicals Company in the guise of economic reforms,� it cautioned.
Te two unions reiterated their opposition to the planned merge of Petroleum Training Institute to the University of Benin. Rather, the said the Institute should be left alone as a Degree awarding
institution. They equally frowned at the non-payment of salary to the staff of the Institute.
The PENGASSAN President, Peter Esele picked holes in the manner in which Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is executing its projects in Niger Delta.