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Tag: NUPENG

  • NUPENG threatens shut down of Abuja over unpaid severance benefits

    NUPENG threatens shut down of Abuja over unpaid severance benefits

    The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers(NUPENG) has given the Federal Government a two- week ultimatum to compel the Asset Management Company of Nigeria(AMCON) to pay severance benefits to workers of Seawolf Nigeria Limited taken over by the agency in 2013.

    Addressing reporters after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, NUPENG’s national president, Comrade Igwe Achese, lamented despite several entreaties and picketing, AMCON, which bought over the assets and liabilities of the company, has refused to pay the workers.

    He said AMCON instead went to court in a bid not to pay the workers, saying the staffs are suffering for no fault of theirs.

    He vowed NUPENG will shut down operations within and around Abuja if AMCON fails to pay up the workers.

    Achese informed tanker drivers have been directed to start wearing red cloths in readiness for the strike action, which will commence within the next two weeks.

    According to him: “It is very unfortunate workers of the company have not been paid. AMCON has refused to pay these workers their terminal benefits since 2013.

    “Therefore, the union in a very strong revolution is requesting the government to prevail on AMCON to pay the workers.

    “The NEC in session has taken a decision that within two weeks, NUPENG will withdraw our services in Abuja and around its environment.

    “It is the responsibility of government to make sure that workers in the companies that they took over are paid their terminal benefits.”

     

  • Apapa logjam: NUPENG seeks alternative loading depots for tankers

    Apapa logjam: NUPENG seeks alternative loading depots for tankers

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) yesterday appealed to the NNPC to provide alternative loading depots  for petroleum tankers to check the recurring traffic gridlock in Apapa area of Lagos State.

    Its Southwest Chairman, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    Korodo said the recurring gridlock in Apapa was because 90 per cent of petroleum products were stored in various private tank farms in the area.

    He said: “This is why all the adjourning routes to Apapa always experience traffic jams.

    “The tanker drivers are always on queue waiting for their time to load the petroleum products stored in various farm tanks in Apapa.

    “They occupy a lane out of the two-lane route until it is their turn to load.

    “At present, Tin-Can Island-link road is not passable to the depots; the Ijora-Wharf Road is in deplorable conditions due to several pot-holes there.

    “The tanker drivers have been on queue for days, obstructing free flow of traffic.

    “It is dangerous to have trailers stationary on those bridges for days, it could weaken the bridges.

    “The tanker drivers should not be held responsible for parking their trucks on the route leading to the depots.

    “This is because there are no alternative routes to the depots for now.”

    He said that if government fails to provide alternative routes to the depots; the gridlocks would become hectic on the existing route when repair work begins on the Apapa-Tin Can Road.

    The union, therefore, appealed to the NNPC to open the depots in other parts of the South-West zone for loading to reduce the tankers coming to Apapa.

    “The corporation should begin to use its System 2B Pipeline Network, to pump petroleum products from Atlas Cove Depot to other depots in the southwestern part of the country.

    “Now that the depots are in good shape, there is no reason why the corporation should still be using private depots in Apapa to distribute petroleum products,” he said.

    According to him, only Mosinmi Depot is into skeletal loading while Ejigbo depot in Lagos State; Ibadan depot in Oyo State, Ore depot in Ondo State and Ilorin depot in Kwara are not working.

    Korodo pleaded with the Federal Government to intervene in the matter.

     

  • NUPENG to NASS: Stop distracting Fashola

    NUPENG to NASS: Stop distracting Fashola

    The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG has told the National Assembly members to allow national interest blossom as against parochial interests being dressed in the name of national interest and allow the Minister of Works, Housing and Transport, Babatunde Raji Fashola, to work and fix the roads.

    This is as it also called on the Minister to urgently put aside all distractions and focus on fixing at least at palliative level critical roads that connect all parts of the country.

    The National Chairman of the PTD branch of NUPENG, Salimon Akanni Oladiti, who made the call at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna yesterday, said the union is aware that the road network had suffered long years of neglect from previous regimes and called on government to adopt appropriate planning and strategic approaches to various interventions.

    Fashola had recently expressed frustration over the way and manner in which the legislative arm of government unilaterally altered the budget after putting members of the executive through budget defence sessions and committee hearings.

    The minister specifically listed the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, the Bodo-Bonny road, the Kano-Maiduguri road, the Second Niger Bridge and the Mambilla Hydropower Project among others as those that the National Assembly materially altered their allocations, in favour of scores of boreholes and primary health care centres which he claimed were never discussed during the Ministerial Budget Defence before Parliament.

    NUPENG President lamented the unpleasant state of the nation’s highways which he said has continued to leave a sour taste in the mouth, particularly the Lagos-Ibadan expressway which connects the south-west with the entire country and serves as the major road for the movement of goods from the sea ports in Lagos and haulage of petroleum products from the depots in Apapa to all outlets across the country.

    He reiterated that certain roads need urgent and priority attention in view of their economic importance to the nation bearing in mind the current economic realities “while we send note of warning to the Federal legislators to stop playing politics with the safety of lives on the federal highways. The raining season has exposed the very soft under belly of our road networks and our members are the first line of casualties.”

    On the attitudes of its members on the highways, the PTD boss disclosed that no fewer than 4500 of its members have so far been trained on safety on the wheels and more to be trained anytime soon, stressing that training and retraining of its members is key to his leadership.

    Comrade Oladiti frowned at the activities of members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) whom he alleged harass, intimidate and extort monies from his members, which he said the union will not treat with levity.

     

  • NUPENG: stoppage of gas flaring’ll create jobs

    The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) President Comrade Igwe Achese has expressed support for the Federal Government’s plans to stop gas flaring. The move will lead to job creation for youths, he said.

    Achebe who spoke with The Nation at the just-concluded  International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, said putting a time limit to the stoppage of gas flaring in the country will go a long way in enhancing job creation.

    He said the gas being flared can be used for several things that will not only create job opportunities for the nation’s youths, but will also bring in a lot of revenue for the country.

    He lamented the current job losses in the country. “We have been passing through crisis of job loses. Today in Nigeria, the worst sector that has been affected by job loses is the oil and gas sector. When the issue of drop in oil prices came, most oil companies closed their shops,” he said.

  • NUPENG, FRSC, others partner producers on ‘Behind the Wheels’

    NUPENG, FRSC, others partner producers on ‘Behind the Wheels’

    In a bid to enlighten the public on the pros and cons of being a tanker driver, giving deeper insights into their commercial and personal lives, a movie titled ‘Behind The Wheels’ is set to premiere at Silverbird Galleria on June 16, 2017.

    Put together by Vickaf Global Investment Limited in partnership with the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), and Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTD), the movie which is also the debut of the Executive Producer; Ugochukwu  Azikiwe, was directed by Stanlee Ohikhuare and features some A-list actors and actresses including; Patrick Doyle, Chiwetalu Agu, Kelechi Udegbe, Queen Nwokoye, Lucy Glover, Saeed Funny Mallam, Sani Danja and others.

    Kelechi Udegbe, the Producer of the movie, stated that the power which these drivers possess is not one to be undermined because one way or the other, they ensure a continuity of our economic process which is dependent on oil produce.

    Lucy Glover, who plays lead role in the flick said; “It’s basically a story about tanker drivers; inspired by how they’re related to, ranging from meager pay to bad treatment despite the fact that they carry this flammable substances and are expected to drive with care and not endanger lives. They need respect too.”

    NUPENG president, Comrade Achese Igwe, speaking about the movie said: “The producers of this movie have tried their best in this movie about us and it is a welcome development. It has further fostered our collaborations with the FRSC, which aids in keeping tabs on our drivers at all times due to the realization that these driver’s actions or inactions go a long way to affect the general public. We try as much as possible in our own way to intensify training to ensure that they understand training as a whole, which involves disallowing outside factors affect their job of transporting highly inflammable materials.”

     

  • Ekiti fuel crisis: NUPENG, IPMAN suspend strike as Aregbesola intervenes

    Ekiti fuel crisis: NUPENG, IPMAN suspend strike as Aregbesola intervenes

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) yesterday suspended their three-week-old strike in Ekiti State, following the intervention of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Leaders of the two unions and Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose met at the Osun State Government House and signed an agreement to suspend the strike.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Ekiti State government agreed to pleas for the reversal of some Certificates of Occupancy of landed property on which filling stations were built except those on waterways, canal and where there is no justification for such revocation.

    The communique was signed by Governors Fayose and Aregbesola, NUPENG’s General Secretary Joseph Ogbebor, IPMAN’s Zonal Chairman Debo Ahmed and Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association’s (PTD’s) NUPENG National Vice Chairman Solomon Kilanko.

    The communique said an ad hoc committee, comprising of Ekiti State government and oil and gas marketers would be constituted to spell out the conditions and guidelines for the establishment and operations of filling stations in the state.

    It was also agreed that demolition should stop, pending the outcome of the Committee’s report.

    After the meeting, Fayose, who addressed reporters, expressed happiness with the suspension of the strike.

    The governor hailed Aregbesola for his intervention and prayed for the progress of the country.

    Aregbesola expressed appreciation to the unions for their understanding.

  • NUPENG, IPMAN suspend strike in Cross River

    NUPENG, IPMAN suspend strike in Cross River

    The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday suspended their strike over the N12,800 daily road maintenance levy imposed on petrol tankers in Cross River State.

    The strike led to fuel scarcity and forced the price of petrol to N500 per litre in the black market.

    After a meeting between both unions and representatives of the state government, NUPENG’s National Treasurer Canaan David-Otu said the government had rescinded its decision.

    He said: “We embarked on strike because the state revenue department imposed a daily levy of N12,800 for each tanker loading petrol at the depot. We told the state government’s representatives that we didn’t have such money. Some tanker drivers earn N15,000 as monthly salary. So, you can see that it is impossible to pay that amount.

    “The Federal Government controls the price of fuel in Nigeria. We told the state government openly that we could not pay that money. We have announced to all depots and filling stations to resume the sale of the product to consumers.”

    IPMAN’s State Chairman Lawrence Agim said: “We have agreed that the strike be suspended. We have taken out two weeks to sort out all issues concerning revenue collection from our members in the state.”

    Finance Commissioner Asuquo Ekpeyong, who led the government team, said the meeting was meant to persuade both parties to suspend the strike.

    Ekpeyong said the strike was caused by lack of communication between relevant government agencies and petroleum unions.

    He said: “They (NUPENG and IPMAN) have agreed to suspend the strike. They felt that the state government did not give them adequate information and notice.”

  • NUPENG warns govt over PH refinery

    NUPENG warns govt over PH refinery

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has expressed worry over the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into by the Federal Government and Oando Plc management. The government agreed to allow the oil firm manage Port Harcourt refinery, which is under repair, operate and maintain (ROM) it.

    Speaking with The Nation, NUPENG’s General-Secretary, Comrade Joseph Ogbebor said the arrangement is faulty, not transparent and did not involve the other stakeholders, especially the two oil workers’ unions – NUPENG and PENGASSAN.

    He  cautioned the Federal Government on the takeover bid by Oando, saying that the union will resist it, if it leads to job losses.

    Oando Plc., he said, was not a worker-friendly organisation as it detests unionisation in all its subsidiaries and companies.

    “It is not against the Federal Government’s reforms to overhaul the Oil and Gas sector, but it should not be to the detriment of the oil and gas workers.

    “We vowed to resist with full force the arrangement by Oando, if the oil workers who have put the refinery working with poor funding and obsolete equipment are thrown into the unemployment market by Oando,”  he said.

    Ogbebor said the change promised by the present administration is to generate more jobs and not kill jobs and that Oando, he alleged, is known for outsourcing and contracting jobs where such workers have no conditions of service and are not allowed to unionise.

    He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to involve the two unions, NUPENG and PENGASSAN in the arrangement before it is signed by the end of July, 2017, in order to avert a major industrial crisis in the Oil and Gas sector of the economy.

    Last week, the Federal Government  entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria’s largest indigenous energy group, Oando Plc to manage the Port Harcourt Refinery under a repair, operate and maintain (ROM) arrangement.

    Oando’s Chief Executive Officer,  Mr. Wale Tinubu, who at a presentation on the underlying facts of the group’s operations at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos, said the group has received approval of the government to oversee the Port Harcourt Refinery.

    He noted that the group has deleveraged its balance sheet through the divestment of its upstream services company, Oando Energy Services, and embarked on the expansion of its retail and gas footprint through a strategic partnership with Helios Investment Partners and Vitol Group to re-capitalise its downstream business for $210 million, and the $115.8 equity buy-in of its Gas and Power business by Helios Investment Partners.

  • NUPENG, others stop fuel supply to Ekiti over Fayose

    NUPENG, others stop fuel supply to Ekiti over Fayose

    •Residents groan

    Stakeholders in the oil sector have stopped the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, to Ekiti State.
    The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) are angry over a case instituted against two of the unions by Governor Ayo Fayose.
    A source said the governor accused IPMAN and NUPENG of “economic sabotage” in a face-off with oil marketers in March.
    Although the case was reportedly withdrawn last Friday, the national unions of the three bodies are enraged that the government could take such an action after a peace meeting.
    Marketers are angry that the governor took the action after the intervention of Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN), following a strike in protest against demolition of filling stations.
    Petrol scarcity is affecting commercial activities, especially in Ado-Ekiti.
    Commuters were yesterday stranded at bus stops. There were long queues at filling stations.
    Black marketers capitalised on the situation to exploit the public. Transport fares have increased.
    A marketer, who preferred anonymity, said: “After the visit of PEDAN in Southwest, Governor Fayose said everything has been resolved, but we were shocked that he sued IPMAN and NUPENG, accusing them of sabotage.
    “Filling stations were destroyed in Ado and Igede. The owner of Igede Filling Station was arraigned and remanded with six of his kinsmen by the government.
    “The unions are aggrieved that their peaceful efforts have been thwarted. They are disappointed at the actions taken by the governor after the parley.
    “What is happening in Ekiti State is beyond the local marketers. The national unions have ordered the suspension of fuel supply to the state.
    “The implication is that any marketer who smuggles the product to Ekiti will be suspended for six months and fined N1.2 million.”
    Another marketer said: “We are being victimised by the Fayose administration. This, unfortunately, is happening in the week Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo will be buried.
    “I pity consumers, motorists, motorcyclists and passengers.
    “As we speak, I have three trucks in the depot, but they cannot come to Ekiti because of the order.
    “My colleagues’ trucks are stranded in Itawure and Akure because they cannot enter Ado-Ekiti.
    “Although the government has withdrawn the case, a letter to that effect arrived the national headquarters of the unions late.
    “We need an apology letter from the government because we are aggrieved about the case, which we believe was withdrawn because of Adebayo’s burial.
    “Those of us selling fuel are the ones still having a few consignments. The moment we exhaust them, that is the end. The state will experience crisis.”

  • NUPENG seeks dialogue over Capital Oil crisis

    NUPENG seeks dialogue over Capital Oil crisis

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called on the Federal Government to embrace dialogue to resolve the lingering impasse between the management of Capital Oil and Department of State Security (DSS).

    There has been disagreement between Capital Oil and DSS over the former’s alleged illegal sale of petroleum products stored in its tank farm by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    But NUPENG, in a statement  by its President, Comrade Igwe Achese, stressed that it did not support the illegal diversion and sale of petroleum products stored in Capital Oil’s tank farm by NNPC.

    It, however, stated that it was of the opinion that the Federal Government cannot sit down and watch workers lose their jobs, as in the case of Capital Oil, where over 2,000 workers are idle.

    NUPENG stated that workers had the right to protest the non-payment of their salaries and allowances and that the Federal Government should secure the jobs of those working in the sector. It added that the global practice was for the government to secure and create jobs.

    The union cited the case of Seawolf Oil Services that was taken over by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) where the workers have not been paid the backlog of salaries and entitlements for over five years.

    Achese said NUPENG believed that the job creation mantra of the government should be allowed to come into play, rather than paving way for job losses as with the closure of Capital Oil.

    He called on the government to allow the workers resume work at the depot and load products so that their salaries can be paid instead of throwing them into the unemployment market for no fault of theirs.

    The union urged the government to use social dialogue to resolve the Capital Oil impasse, so that the 2,000 workers in the organisation and their families do not suffer untold hardship.