Mohammed Shosanya
Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG,has said that some indigenous and multi-national employers use Nigeria Local Content Law to enslave workers and expose them to precarious working condition.
The union expressed this in a solidarity statement signed by its President,William Akporeha,and General Secretary,Afolabi Olawale,to mark this year’s workers day.
The union warned the employers to desist from the act and use the law as a source of fulfilling employment and empowerment for teeming qualified young Nigerians.
It also lamented the increasing degeneration, indecency and precariousness of employment and working conditions in the Nigeria oil and gas industry.
The statement added:”It is becoming increasingly clear that the geese that is laying the golden eggs is being exploited, unappreciated and its existence threatened. We wish to assure our members that as long as our solidarity remains constant, we shall continue to grow stronger”.
On the planned removal of subsidy on fuel, the union implored the government to ensure that the nation’s refineries before kicking off the programme with a view to protecting the interest of Nigerians.
The union commended the patriotic efforts of Petroleum Tanker Drivers who are still working hard to ensure that factories and other businesses are kept running and homes are kept comfortable for Nigerians inspite of the harsh working environment
It added:”However, the Union will no longer condone unwarranted attacks, intimidation and burning of their Petroleum Trucks while on genuine and legal haulage of Petroleum products by some barbaric security agents most especially among the Nigeria Army Anti-Bunkering Task Force operating in the South-South region of the country, henceforth we will start to resist this because we cannot continue to fold our hands and watch our members lose their sources of livelihood in the hands of those armed men.
“To our disciplined, hardworking, and resilient members, the leadership of our great Union remains proud of your commitment and steadfastness to nation building despite all the challenges in the oil and gas Industry over the past one year.
