Mohammed Shosanya
Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural
Gas Workers,NUPENG,has implored the next administration to declare state of emergency in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
The development was necessary so as to properly situate the employment in the industry in such a way and manner that will engender technical expertise and ikills. enhancement for young Nigerians and further help to reduce the wave of brain drain, insecurity and penchant for fraudulent activities among the youth in the country.
The union conveyed the suggestion in a communique issued at the end of National Executive Council meeting in Lagos.
The President of the union,Comrade Williams Akporeha,and the General Secretary of the Union, Comrade Afolabi Olawale,who signed the signed the communique,said that Nigeria has enough human capacity to develop and enhance its technological capabilities.
The union noted with grave concerns the increasing degeneration,indecency and precariousness of their employment and working conditions in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
It said:”The Council-in-session decried the behavior and employment tactics of some unscrupulous indigenous employers and multi-nationals who have unfortunately exploited and turned the Nigerian Local Content law into ambits of slavery and precarious employment rather than a source of fulfilling employment and empowerment for teeming qualified young Nigerians in their fatherland”
It examined the recurrent discussions for the removal of subsidy from the Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) and express deep concerns over the failure of the Federal Government to do the needful as severally advised by organized labor that deregulation of the PMS should not be predicated on importation of the product on account of all the obvious negative impacts on the socio-economic life of the people and nation in general.
It also expressed disappointment in the failure of the government to deliver on its promises of making the three national refineries work before contemplating the removal of the subsidy
“The NEC-in-session reaffirmed that in as much as our Union is not averse to the removal of PMS subsidy, the Federal Government must ensure that our local refineries are put into full operation before such major policy decision is taken in the interest of the generality of Nigerians.
” lt is our firm believe that deregulation that is based on local production will not only increase the revenue base of the country, but it will also generate employment and make life more meaningful to ordinary.Nigerians”
