Oil workers union threatens to pull members out of Delta

“We have made several representions to the federal government. But they seem not to listen. We will not hesitate to ask our members to quit the region if the situation persists,” said union president Peter Akpatason.

He said the blue-collar National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers will meet with government, security and oil industry officials next week on the security situation, the high cost of diesel and the state of roads in the country.

“We held a meeting on Tuesday with three ministers and the police and we agreed to meet again next Tuesday to work out the modalities on how to solve the problems,” he said.

Violent attacks and kidnappings targeting oil companies have been frequent throughout the Niger Delta in the past two years.

Some are carried out by militants claiming to be fighting for a larger share of the region’s oil wealth for local people, others by criminal gangs out to make ransom money.

Several foreign firms, including French tyre company Michelin and oil servicing firm Wilbros, have left the Niger Delta because of security problems.

The unrest has reduced Nigeria’s oil output by a quarter, causing it to lose its position as Africa’s biggest oil producer to Angola, according to April figures from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The violence has contributed to the soaring price of crude in the world market. It has also stoked tensions and labour unrest in the west African country of 140 million people.

On Monday, petrol tanker drivers ended a strike against fuel costs after the government promised remedial action.

Prices have more than doubled in recent weeks, with a litre of diesel currently selling for up to 200 naira (1.70 dollars, 1.08 euros) against the government-approved price of 70 naira.

The strike led to long queues of motorists at petrol pumps throughout the country.

Akpatason vowed to ask the drivers to resume the strike if the union’s demands are not met.

“We have two weeks to review our position. The ball is now in the government’s court,” he added.