FG begs PENGASSAN to shelve strike

The Federal Government has appealed to the Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria to shelve its planned strike in the spirit of conciliation brokered between it and Neconde Energy Services Ltd.

It said that the appeal was imperative in order to save Nigerians from further hardship during the Christmas season and the New Year celebration.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige in a statement on Sunday in Abuja asked the Central Working Committee of PENGASSAN to reconsider its decision.

ALSO SEE: Fuel scarcity: PENGASSAN threatens another strike

It urged the union to respect the agreement and call off the scheduled action in the interest of the nation, “more so when adequate notice of strike was not given.”

The statement by the Deputy Director, Press, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere noted that Ngige had on December 13 and 14, 2017 brokered long hours of conciliation between PENGASSAN and Neconde Energy Services Ltd and secured an agreement.

It added that with the conciliation by Ngige, the impending action by PENGASSAN was effectively arrested in line with the provisions of the relevant labour laws whose powers are invested in the minister.

“By that agreement, Neconde shall invite the sacked branch chairman of PENGASSAN and hold heart-to-heart discussion with him while PENGASSAN is to hold back proposed action pending the reconvening of the meeting in the second week of January, 2018 when other contending issues relating to other oil companies would also be sorted out,” the ministry explained.