NUPENG suspends warning strike

THE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), late Wednesday night, suspended its three-day warning strike which began on Wednesday.

The union suspended the strike following a resolution reached with the government, international oil companies (IOCs) and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, after a marathon meeting at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The meeting was called at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who led the Federal Government team.

Before the resolution, the union had closed down depots across the country, vowing that the strike would continue.

Vice chairman, South-West zonal council of NUPENG, Benjamin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, that the nation’s three refineries were not loading due to the strike.

Benjamin said the situation remained the same in both private and NNPC depots in Lagos, adding that loading had been grounded.

In a check by the Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday to verify the efficacy of the warning strike, it was observed that loading at NNPC depots in Apapa and Ejigbo were suspended, as tanker drivers were seen in groups.

One of the tanker drivers, who identified himself as Muhammed Tijani, said he thought the strike would not go on.

“I came all the way from Ondo to load here today but was surprised that the warning strike is effective,” he said.

NUPENG had embarked on the warning strike over the issues of casualisation, job insecurity and non-implementation of collective agreement in the sector, as well as the bakarnisation of the ongoing divestment system, currently taking place in the industry.

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting that lasted over five hours, NUPENG president, Comrade Igwe Achese, said the union was satisfied with the commitment shown by the government on the issues in contention, especially the Ministry of Petroleum.

“Having satisfied with the commitment shown by the Ministry of Petroleum over the issues, the union is hereby suspending the strike,” Achese said.

On the issue of IOCs, there was a commitment that all the oil companies should go and address the grey areas concerning the welfare of their workers and report back to their respective ministries within two weeks.

Ngige, who presided over the meeting, assured the union that the government would enforce compliance by the oil companies with agreement reached with the unions.

The minister also directed oil companies that did not show up for the reconciliatory meeting to appear on July 24.”