Oil workers commend NNPC on refineries revival

Oil workers under the aegis of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have commended the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to revive the four state-owned refineries in the country.

They said the idea would boost the capacity of the refineries, as well as helping spur the growth of the industry.

The unions, in a statement signed by the Group Secretaries of the two in-house unions, Comrade Sulaiman Sulaiman of PENGASSAN and Comrade Uche Amara of NUPENG, noted that they have been opposed to selling national assets as scrap, adding that the proposal to adopt a new model that will bring investors to increase productivity without having to lose jobs is commendable.

They said they had been following the current Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr Maikanti Kacalla Baru’s 12 Focus Area drive towards bringing back NNPC to the path of success with keen interest.

The unions described the administration and programmes of GMD, as workers’ friendly after a careful evaluation of its programmes.

“The recent familiarisation tour of all NNPC facilities by the GMD and the pronouncements made during the visits are clear demonstrations of Management resolve to carry along all stakeholders, especially the unions at all levels,” the workers stated in the statement.

The workers listed areas such as promotions/redeployment, rehabilitation of refineries, and other welfare programmes including wage and retirement benefits, among others.

According to the workers, “The GMD’s recent management’s promotions/redeployment has created avenue for systemic growth, which has been the yearnings of the staff and unions. The unions are highly delighted that for the first time in several years, merit was considered and priority was given to qualified staff within the corporation.

“The unions are particularly delighted with the GMD’s welfare programme which tends to address several issues including wage and retirement benefits among others. We believe that this practice if sustained will continue to boost staff morale and increase productivity. This is highly commendable and the Unions are committed to work with the GMD, Dr Maikanti Kacalla Baru, towards any venture that will increase productivity and enhance the welfare of staff.

“We equally want to thank the Federal Government under the able leadership of the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari for providing us with focussed and purposeful leadership in our dear corporation.”