The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in tackling insecurity and road infrastructure challenges, noting that these issues are severely hampering their operations. The union emphasized that many economic roads remain impassable, while insecurity continues to disrupt the distribution of petroleum products.
Concerns Over Job Losses and Workers' Rights
NUPENG also raised serious concerns about escalating job losses and what it described as increasing suppression of workers' rights within the nation's oil and gas industry. The union called for immediate action to protect workers and ensure fair treatment.
Minister's Address at Delegates Conference
Speaking at the union's sixth Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Lagos, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, represented by the Registrar of Trade Unions, Amos Falonipe, urged the newly elected President of NUPENG, Salimon Oladiti, to build on the cherished legacies of his immediate predecessor, Williams Akporeha.
Outgoing President's Lamentations
In his valedictory speech, outgoing President Akporeha lamented that incidents of petroleum truck hijacking and kidnapping had risen sharply from the North-East to the South-South. He stated that members now spend more to secure their businesses, adding to the operational challenges.
While acknowledging the Federal Government's efforts on road construction, Akporeha stressed the need to highlight that many economic roads remain in impassable conditions. He called for greater efforts, especially as the rainy season approaches, to ensure the smooth distribution of petroleum products.
Challenges Faced by Workers
According to Akporeha, NUPENG members who traverse the country distributing petroleum products and rendering other services face horrible challenges. He warned that many workers, particularly in the informal sector, are facing mounting economic hardship as industry reforms reshape the sector.
