Fuel Scarcity May Worsen in 7 Days as PENGASSAN Threatens Strike Over Disagreement with FG

All oil and gas installations, including disrupting fuel supply and distribution, across the country, may be shutdown from Monday December 18, 2017,
as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) threatened to go on strike should the Federal Government fail to address its grievances in seven days’ time.

According to a report by DailyTrust, the senior workers in the oil sector's major grievance is the unfair labour practices and seemly untamable posture of some indigenous oil and gas companies and marginal field operators by relevant agencies of government.

The General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Lumumba Okugbawa, said that one of the resolutions reached by the Association at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of October 13, 2017 held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was the condemnation of Indigenous Oil and Gas Companies and Marginal Field Operators, concerning their anti labour posture and practices.

The association accused Neconde Energy Ltd (of Nestoil Group of companies) of sacking workers that joined the Union and dehumanising them in total disregard to rule of engagement and the laws of the land.

"The actions of companies such as Neconde in mass sack of Nigerian workers contribute in no small measure to the unending militancy in the Niger Delta. This company has also severally boasted that no government agency can call it to order," Okugbawa said in a statement on Thursday.

He said, "Having explored all options without getting the necessary understanding, and an apparent failure of relevant authorities of Government to call to order these recalcitrant organizations especially Neconde, PENGASSAN gives the Federal Government and its relevant Agencies seven (7) days’ notice to embark on nationwide strike effective December 18, 2017 if she fails to direct the Management of Neconde and other companies to recall our sacked members as the only option to address this injustice and lawlessness."

"PENGASSAN appeals to all Nigerians to show understanding and to use this window to stockpile adequate quantity of premium motor spirit (PMS) and other petroleum products that will last them during the upcoming festive period as this strike will be indefinite."