Nigerian Union Of Petroleum And Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Gears Up For Potential Strike....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has instructed its members in both the formal and informal sectors of the oil and gas industry to prepare for the nationwide strike scheduled for October 3, as declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC). This directive was issued in a statement by NUPENG’s President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale.

NUPENG, which is an affiliate of the NLC, has urged its branches and units to take note of this directive and ensure complete compliance by establishing compliance and monitoring teams at all operational sites.

The statement reads: “Following the joint resolution of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress as the outcome of the joint National Executive Council meeting of the two Labour Federations held on September 25, 2023, we wish to inform all our members in the formal and informal sectors of the Nigeria oil and gas industry and alert the general public that the rank and file members of our union are hereby directed to commence full mobilization and ensure unwavering compliance with the directive of the two labour centres to all affiliate unions to embark on a nationwide industrial action from midnight on October 3, 2023.

“The leadership of NUPENG finds it disturbing and unfortunate that the federal government of Nigeria and other tiers of governments are insensitive to the excruciating socio-economic pains Nigerians are enduring due to very harsh and sudden economic policies taken by this administration without any accompanying socio-economic policies to alleviate and cushion the immediate effects and impacts of those difficult policies on the citizenry.

“Furthermore, it is worrisome to us that there appears to be a lack of regard and respect for the cries and yearnings of organized labour, civil society organizations, and the general public by this administration. It seems the administration is taking the goodwill and tolerance level of the workers and Nigerians in general for granted. This arrogance is evident in the way meetings with organized labour are conducted and the lack of seriousness in addressing the concerns raised.

“We are aware of the significant impact a 24-hour industrial action by organized labour can have on businesses and the socio-economic lives of the nation. Unfortunately, the government’s actions and inactions are forcing organized labour to take this difficult and painful route as a last resort to demand the necessary socio-economic policies to alleviate and cushion the challenging living conditions faced by Nigerians.

“The government has demonstrated high insensitivity and a lack of respect for organized labour and the Nigerian masses. Therefore, as a responsive and responsible affiliate Union of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), NUPENG will fully comply with the resolution of the joint NEC meeting. We hereby direct the leaders in the four (4) Zonal Councils of our great Union to mobilize all our members in the formal and informal sectors to shut down services effectively from October 3, 2023.

“All NUPENG members, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Petrol Stations Workers (PSW), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR), and all other allied workers in the value chain of petroleum products distribution must comply with this directive from midnight on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

“All Branches and Units of our Union are to take note and ensure full compliance by setting up Compliance and Monitoring Teams in all operational locations.”