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  • Seven years after escape from prison, NDLEA arrests wanted Abuja drug kingpin

    Seven years after escape from prison, NDLEA arrests wanted Abuja drug kingpin

    Seven years after his escape from prison custody following his conviction for drug dealing, a notorious major distributor of illicit substances within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Ibrahim Momoh, popularly known as Ibrahim Bendel, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

    Spokesperson of the Agency, Femi Babafemi, who revealed this in a statement on Sunday, November 19, said Momoh was arrested during a raid of his hideout at Filin Dabo, Dei-Dei area of the FCT.

    Babafemi said Momoh was first arrested on 27th November, 2014 with cannabis sativa weighing 385.1kgs, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to seven and a half years in prison on 22nd July 2015 but while serving his jail term at Kuje, he escaped from prison custody on 16th May, 2016.

    According to the statement, following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives on 20th November 2022 stormed the warehouse of the fleeing ex-convict, Momoh, and recovered 81 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 1,278kgs.

    Babafemi said the store was located within the suspect’s poultry farm in Dei-Dei area of the FCT.

    He said though Momoh was not around at the time, his warehouse manager, 55-year-old Ghanaian, Richard Forson Gordon was arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to two years in jail.

    According to the statement, the Agency thereafter declared Momoh wanted.

    The Agency’s Spokesman said the manhunt for the drug lord paid off on 5th November 2023 when operatives again raided his hideout at Filin Dabo, Dei-Dei area of Abuja where he was arrested with 56.9kgs of cannabis sativa and 42.7 grams of Diazepam.

    He said in another raid in the same area of the FCT on Monday 13th November, a suspect Yusufa Ibrahim, 27, was arrested with 75.3kgs of cannabis.

    He also said a massive operation in the forest of Efon Alaye in Efon local government area of Ekiti state on Saturday 18th November 2023 has led to the destruction of 52,500 kilograms of cannabis sativa covering over 21 hectares of farmland while a total of ninety two bags of same substance weighing 1,380 kilograms were recovered and another 250 bags weighing 3,000kgs stored in different huts on the farm were also burnt.

    He said: “No fewer than 15 suspects were arrested on the farm during the operation. They include: Okikiri Julius, 27; Ozoemene Friday Efajemu, 31; Tosin Ibrahim, 18; Israel Samuel, 25; Godwin David, 39; Friday Isaac, 19; Ayomide Igbekele, 18; Joshua Daniel, 27; Emmanuel Nwachukwu, 19; Emeka Onyeama, 31; Ani Augustine, 27; Obasi Ogbu, 32; Orsusue Peter, 23; Daniel Emmanuel, 18; and Yinusa James, 22.

    “In Ondo state, five persons including another wanted drug kingpin, Christopher Onyebuchi, 40, were arrested at New Bridge Compound, Idoani on Wednesday 15th November and a total of 1,945 kilograms of cannabis recovered from them. Others include: Olorunda Ojo, 52; Femi Tomoye, 22; Abdurahman Salahu, 29; and Momoh Jimoh, 31. Onyebuchi had earlier been arrested by NDLEA on 25th March 2022 with 89kgs of same substance but jumped bail after he was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Akure. Operatives in the state also on Sunday 12th Nov raided Upemen village in Owo where they recovered 1,834kgs of same substance with 273kgs also seized the previous day, Saturday 11th Nov at Ipesi Akoko.

    “While NDLEA officers in Sokoto recovered 290kgs of cannabis from a female suspect, Fatima Salmanu, 20, at Gangaren Tashar, Illela Sokoto in Sokoto North LGA on Thursday 16th Nov, their colleagues in Edo state evacuated 808kgs of the same psychoactive substance stored in a forest at Igueben on Monday 13th Nov.

    “Not less than 231kgs of cannabis were recovered and five suspects arrested in a joint raid between NDLEA operatives and soldiers in Kwande council area of Benue state on Monday 13th Nov. Those arrested include: Denen Terhemba, 25; Liambee Iorhuna, 36; Iorhuna Sughnen, 20; Aboh Sonter, 23; and Msendoo Tyokaa, 36.

    “While operatives in Ogun state on Tuesday 14th Nov arrested a suspect, Tony Jonah at Abule Iroko, with cannabis sativa weighing 67kgs, those in Lagos arrested Chike Agu at Ago Palace way, Isolo with 364.3kgs of Loud, a variant of cannabis.

    In Imo state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Owerri -Onitsha expressway on Monday 13th Nov intercepted a truck marked XS 669KRD driven by one Orji Ifeanyi, 33. A search of the truck led to the seizure of 82,320 pills of opioids including Tramadol 225mg, and Diazepam as well as 32.5 litres of codeine cough syrup and 100 pieces of Molly weighing 49.62 grams.

    “The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign of the Agency continued in equal measure in schools, markets, worship places and others across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA advocacy lecture for Muslim faithful at Badagry Central Mosque, Badagry, Lagos; WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Government Science College, Wase, Plateau state; WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Anglican Girls Secondary School, Ogidi, Anambra state; WADA advocacy lecture at St. Thomas Grammar School, Otan Aiyegbaju, Osun; WADA advocacy lecture for students and staff of Government Junior Arabic Secondary School, Maigatari, Jigawa state as well as students and staff of Mainland Technical College, Oron, Akwa Ibom state.

    “While commending the officers and men of the FCT, Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Lagos, Edo, Benue, Ogun and Imo Commands for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to intensify the offensive action tempo against drug cartels as the yuletide season approaches while maintaining a balance with their drug demand reduction efforts.”

  • Court remands 13 NUPENG ex-leaders inprison over alleged attempted murder

    Court remands 13 NUPENG ex-leaders inprison over alleged attempted murder

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the remand of former National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Lucky Osesua, his Deputy, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, and 11others in Kuje Prison.

    Justice Haruna Yusuf issued the order yesterday after the union members were arraigned on a five-charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), in which they were accused, among others, of assaulting and attempting to kill the new leaders of the union.

    Those they allegedly attacked are NUPENG’s President, Wiliams Akporeha; General Secretary, Wale Afolabi and the newly elected National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) of NUPENG, Augustine Egbon.

    They were particularly alleged to have acted “in a manner likely to cause the death of one Comrade Wiliams Akporeha and Comrade Augustine Egbon”.

    Justice Yusuf ordered that the 13 defendants be remanded in Kuje Prison until November 21 when their bail application will be heard.

    Also arraigned with Osesua and Garga are Humble Obinna, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka and Tiamiu Sikiru.

    The rest are Abdulmimin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku and Sunday Ezeocha.

    The judge rejected the oral application for bail made by the lawyer to the defendants, Christopher Oshomogie (SAN), and ordered him to file a formal application to that effect.

    Read Also: Court remands 13 NUPENG ex-leaders over alleged attempted murder

    He adjourned till November 21 for the hearing of the bail application.

    Some of the counts in the charge marked: CR/042/2023 reads:

    *That you Lucky Osesua, Humble Obinna, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, Tiamiu Sikiru, Abdulmumin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku and Sunday Ezeocha on the 1st of November, 2023, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to cause breach of peace, laid siege at the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) office at No. 50 Moses Majekodenmi Crescent , Utako District against one Comrade Williams Akporeha, Comrade Olawale Afolabi, Comrade Solomon Kilanko & Comrade Augustine Egbon and you thereby commit an offence punishable under Section 114 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.

    Count three:

    That you  Lucky Osesua, Humble Obinna, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, Tiamiu Sikiru, Abdulmumin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku and Sunday Ezeocha on the 1st of November, 2023, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did act in a manner likely to cause the death of one Comrade Wiliams Akporeha & Comrade Augustine Egbon and you thereby commit an offence punishable under Section 229 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.

    In count four they were accused of voluntarily causing grievous bodily harm to Comrade Williams Akporeha, Comrade Olawale Afolabi, Comrade Solomon Kilanko & Comrade Augustine Egbon.

    They however pleaded not guilty to the charges after which prosecution counsel, Frank Longe, applied for a date to begin their trial.

  • Court remands 13 NUPENG ex-leaders over alleged attempted murder

    Court remands 13 NUPENG ex-leaders over alleged attempted murder

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the remand of former National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Lucky Osesua,  his Deputy, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga and 11others in Kuje prison.

    Justice Haruna Yusuf issued the order on Friday after the union members were arraigned on a five-charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), in which they were accused, among others of assaulting and attempting to kill the new leaders of the union.

    Those they allegedly attacked are NUPENG’s President, Wiliams Akporeha; General Secretary Wale Afolabi and the newly elected National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) of NUPENG, Augustine Egbon

    They were particularly alleged to have acted  “in a manner likely to cause the death of one Comrade Wiliams Akporeha and  Comrade Augustine Egbon”

    Justice Yusuf ordered that the 13 defendants be remanded in Kuje prison until November 21 when their bail application will be heard.

    Also arraigned with Osesua and Garga are Humble Obinna, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka and Tiamiu Sikiru.

    The rest are Abdulmimin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku and Sunday Ezeocha.

    The judge  rejected the oral application for bail made by the lawyer to the defendants, 

     Christopher Oshomogie (SAN) and ordered him to file a formal application to that effect.

    He adjourned till November 21 for the hearing of the bail application.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Gov Oborevwori visits ailing ex-NUPENG chief Kokori

    Some of the counts, in the charge marked: CR/042/2023 reads:

    *That you Lucky Osesua, Humble Obinna, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, Tiamiu Sikiru, Abdulmumin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku and Sunday Ezeocha on the 1st of November, 2023, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to cause breach of peace, laid siege at the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) office at No. 50 Moses Majekodenmi Crescent , Utako District against one Comrade Williams Akporeha, Comrade Olawale Afolabi, Comrade Solomon Kilanko & Comrade Augustine Egbon and you thereby commit an offence punishable under Section 114 of the Penal Code Act, 2004. 

    Count three:

    That you  Lucky Osesua, Humble Obinna, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, Tiamiu Sikiru, Abdulmumin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku and Sunday Ezeocha on the 1st of November, 2023, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did act in a manner likely to cause the death of one Comrade Wiliams Akporeha & Comrade Augustine Egbon and you thereby commit an offence punishable under Section 229 of the Penal Code Act, 2004. 

    In count four they were accused of voluntarily causing grievous bodily harm to Comrade Williams Akporeha, Comrade Olawale Afolabi, Comrade Solomon Kilanko & Comrade Augustine Egbon.

    They however pleaded not guilty to the charges after which prosecution counsel, Frank Longe, applied for a date to begin their trial.

  • I’m dying on hospital bed, says ex-NUPENG scribe Frank Kokori

    I’m dying on hospital bed, says ex-NUPENG scribe Frank Kokori

    Elder statesman and former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori, has cried out that he is dying in a hospital bed.

    The former labour activist renowned for his struggle for the actualization of the June 12, 1993 presidential mandate of the late Bashorun MKO Abiola during the Sani Abacha-led military regime, said life was fast ebbing out of him where he is receiving treatment for kidney-related ailment.

    Kokori, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, said in a voice laden with excruciating pains, that he is “dead and risen.”

    He lamented how NUPENG had abandoned him in the hospital where the air conditioner was switched off by the hospital management possibly owing to shortage of diesel.

    The Ovu-born fiery labour leader complained about being abandoned in a hospital he described as “third class” in Warri by those who should cater for his wellbeing.

    He said: “Tell the world that Kokori is dead and risen. The only man in Warri who can handle kidney problems is Horeb Hospital Warri.

    “But I’m facing other challenges. The air condition is not working. And AC can keep alive till morning. What a country!

    “Mobilise yourselves. I have something to tell this country, please. Please, do your best.

    “Tell them that I can pay any amount. But let them switch on the AC for me because I’m dying.

    “The AC went off. Please do your best. Flash it.

    “I can come alive again. But I just want the world to know that if I survive, I’ll shame the leaders of this country.

    Read Also: Afenifere disowns Adebanjo over Supreme Court judgment on Tinubu’s victory

    “Shame on them. How can Kokori be in a third-class hospital? The People are trying their best-o  because I know it’s a diesel issue.

    “The AC is off. Two of my foster children are here with me. I’ve sent one to meet the hospital management that they should do everything to see that the AC is switched on; that when I’m out, I’ll pay. That I’m dying.

    “I’ve called on NUPENG that this is what they’ve done to their leaders. That NUPENG could not even take care of me. It’s sad. God bless everybody.”

    The septuagenarian is said to have been in the hospital for some time before his distress call came in the wee hours of Thursday.

    Recall that Chief Kokori was at the forefront of the struggle to reclaim the mandate of the late winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, which was annulled by the then President Badamosi Babangida and sustained by his successor, the late General Sani Abacha.

  • Kokori decriesabandonment by NUPENG

    Kokori decriesabandonment by NUPENG

    Elder statesman and former Secretary General of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori, has alleged that the union has abandoned  him as he lies critically ill at a hospital in Warri, Delta State. 

    In a distress call at about 12:40am yesterday, the former labour leader said he was receiving treatment for a kidney related ailment.

    Kokori, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, in a pain-filled voice, said “he is dead and risen.”

    He said it was lamentable “that NUPENG had abandoned their own to fate in a hospital where the air conditioner was not working.”

    Said he: “Tell the world that Kokori is dead and risen. The only man in Warri that can handle kidney problems is at Horeb Hospital, Warri. 

    “But I’m facing other challenges. The air conditioner is not working. And AC can keep alive till morning. What a country! 

    “Mobilise yourselves. I have something to tell this country, please. Please do your best. 

    Read Also: NUPENG, ASSBIFI mobilise members for action

    “Tell them that I can pay any amount, but let them switch on the AC for me because I’m dying. 

    “The AC went off. Please do your best. Flash it. I can come alive again, but I just want the world to know that if I survive, I’ll shame the leaders of this country. 

    “Shame to them. How can Kokori be in a third class hospital? The people are trying their best because I know it’s diesel issue. 

    “The AC is off. Two of my foster children are here with me. I’ve sent one to meet the hospital management that they should do everything to make sure the AC is switched on, that when I’m out, I’ll pay. That I’m dying. 

    “I’ve called on NUPENG that this is what they’ve done to their leader. That NUPENG cannot even take care of me. It’s sad.  God bless everybody.” 

  • NUPENG, ASSBIFI mobilise members for action

    NUPENG, ASSBIFI mobilise members for action

    Members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) have been put on notice for the industrial cation billed to start October 3.

    NUPENG and ASSBIFI are affiliates of the NLC and the TUC resprectively.

    Two Labour centres –  Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) rose from their National Executive Council (NEC) with a resolution to shut down the country if the October 1 address of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu failed to address their demands.

    In a notice yesterday by its President, Williams Akporeha and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG urged its branches and units to take note and ensure full compliance by setting up compliance and monitoring teams in all operational locations.

    The statement reads: “Consequent upon the joint resolution of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress as the outcome of the joint National Executive Council meeting of the two Labour federation, held on 25th  September, we wish to inform all our members in the formal and informal sectors of the Nigeria oil and gas industry and alert the general public that the rank and file members of our union are hereby directed to commence full mobilisation and ensure an unwavering compliance with the directive of the two Labour centres to all affiliate unions to embark on a nationwide industrial action from midnight of 3rd October, 2023.

    “The leadership of NUPENG finds it so disturbing and unfortunate, that the federal government of Nigeria and other tiers of governments are so insensitive to the excruciating and debilitating socio/economic pains Nigerians are passing through as a result of very harsh and sudden economic policies taken by this administration without any accompanying socio/economic policies to ameliorate and cushion the immediate effects and impacts those difficult and harsh policies are having on the citizenry.

    Read Also: NUPENG directs members to mobilise for proposed strike

    “Further worrisome to us is the apparent lack of regards and respect to the cries and yearnings of the organised Labour, civil society organisations and the general public by this administration.

    “lt appears the administration is arrogantly taking the good will and the tolerance level of the workers and Nigerians in general for granted.

    “This arrogance is demonstrated clearly and loudly by the ways and manners meetings with organized labour and outcomes of such meetings are taking with levity anddisrespect.

    “The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is aware of the huge impacts a 24hours industrial action by the organized labour can have on businesses and socio/economic lives of the nation, unfortunately, the government’s actions and inactions are inextricably forcing the organized labour to take this very hard and painful route of last resort to demand for needful socio/economic policies to ameliorate and cushion the debilitating and dehumanizing living conditions of Nigerians generally.

    “Beyond any reasonable doubts, the government has demonstrated high insensitivity, lack of respect and regards to organised Labour and the Nigerian masses.

    “Therefore, it is in the light of the above, that NUPENG as a responsive and responsible affiliate Union of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), will fully comply with theresolution of the joint NEC meeting and we hereby direct the leaders in the four  Zonal Councils of our great union to mobilise all our members in the formal and informal sectors to shut down services effective 3rd October, 2023.

    “All NUPENG members, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Petrol Stations Workers (PSW), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR) and all other allied workers in the value chain of petroleum products distribution must comply with this directive from midnight of Tuesday, 3rd October 2023.

    “All branches and units of our union are to take note and ensure full compliance by setting up compliance and monitoring teams in all operational locations.”

    ASSBIFI’s directives to its members was issued by the Assistant General Secretary, Admin and Planning, Saka Adekunle and Head, International & Industrial Relations, Anthony Emeh.

    The ASSBIFI statement reads: “We write to notify you of the nationwide strike by the organised Labour movements in Nigeria (Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and Nigeria Labour Congress) to commence nation-wide strike on Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023 as a result of failure of government to meet the demands of labour.

    “Based on this development, members are advised to join the strike action and take necessary precaution to ensure their safety and that of the properties of the organisation in the likelihood of hoodlums and miscreants taking advantage of the situation to foment trouble or vandalize business premises.

    “While we will avail you of further information as event unfolds, please accept as always the warm regards and assurances of the National President.”

  • NUPENG directs members to mobilise for proposed strike

    NUPENG directs members to mobilise for proposed strike

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has directed its members in the formal and informal sectors of the oil and gas industry to mobilise for the Oct 3 nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

    The union gave the notice in a statement by its President, Williams Akporeha and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale.

    NUPENG, an affiliate of the NLC, urged its branches and units to take note and ensure full compliance by setting up compliance and monitoring teams in all operational locations.

    The statement reads: “Consequent upon the joint resolution ofthe National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress as the outcome of the joint National Executive Council meeting of the two Labour Federation, held on 25th September, 2O23, we wish to inform all our members in the formal and informal sectors of the Nigeria oil and gas industry and alert the general public that the rank and file members of our union are hereby directed to commence full mobilization and ensure an unwavering compliance with the directive of the two labour centres to all affiliate unions to embark on a nationwide industrial action from midnight of 3rd October, 2023.

    “The leadership of NUPENG finds it so disturbing and unfortunate, that the federal government of Nigeria and other tiers of governments are so insensitive to the excruciating and debilitating socio/economic pains Nigerians are passing through as a result of very harsh and sudden economic policies taken by this administration without any accompanying socio/economic policies to ameliorate and cushion the immediate effects and impacts those difficult and harsh policies are having on the citizenry.

    Read Also: NUPENG seeks improved conditions of service

    “Further worrisome to us is the apparent lack of regards and respect to the cries and yearnings of the organised labour, civil society organisations and the general public by this administration. lt appears the administration is arrogantly taking the good will and the tolerance level of the workers and Nigerians in general for granted. This arrogance is demonstrated clearly and loudly by the ways and manners meetings with organized labour and outcomes of such meetings are taking with levity anddisrespect.

    “The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is aware of the huge impacts a 24hours industrial action by the organized labour can have on businesses and socio/economic lives of the nation, unfortunately, the government’s actions and inactions are inextricably forcing the organized labour to take this very hard and painful route of last resort to demand for needful socio/economic policiesto ameliorate and cushion the debilitating and dehumanizing living conditions of Nigerians generally.

    “Beyond any reasonable doubts, the government has demonstrated high insensitivity, lack of respect and regards to organized labour and the Nigerian masses.

    “Therefore, it is in the light of the above, that NUPENG as a responsive and responsible affiliate Union of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), will fully comply with theresolution of the joint NEC meeting and we hereby direct the leaders in the four (4) Zonal Councils of our great Union to mobilize all our members in the formal and informal sectors to shut down services effective 3rd October, 2023.

    “All NUPENG members, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Petrol Stations Workers (PSW), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR) and all other allied workers in the value chain of petroleum products distribution must comply with this directive from midnight of Tuesday, 3rd October 2023.

    “All Branches and Units of our Union are to take note and ensure full compliance by setting up Compliance and Monitoring Teams in all operational locations.”

  • NUPENG accuses IOCs of flouting labour laws

    The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has decried the imposition of indecent work condition by International Oil Companies (IOCs) and their labour contractors in the country.

    Lamenting that the situation was getting worse daily, the union alleged that the statutory institutions and agencies saddled with protecting workers’ interests were twiddling their thumbs.

    NUPENG canvassed a stop to the trend in the interest of industrial peace and harmony.

    In a communiqué issued at the end the union’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Lagos, NUPENG President Williams Akporeha urged institutions and agencies saddled with protecting workers’ interest to address the exploitation of workers.

    He noted that the unhealthy contract cycle in the industry could further impoverish workers.

    Among other issues critical to the sector, the oil workers said, is the granting of contracts without recruiter’s licence. The union expressed worry that it has impacted negatively on the conditions of work of those being recruited.

    He said it was obvious that many labour contractors being engaged by oil and gas companies were not registered as recruiters in violation of the laws.

    According to him, there is a massive exploitation and abuse of workers’ rights to the extent of eloping with contract workers’ severance benefits by the contactors to these oil companies.

    Akporeha noted that the union has resolved to activate the instrument of the law and other legitimate means as recognised by the labour laws and conventions to fight inhuman treatments of workers.

    “Some of these cases include Virtual Travel Network that eloped with terminal benefits of 48 NAOC contract workers since 2015 and Logistics Facility Affairs (LFA), a contractor with Chevron Nigeria Limited that also ran away with workers’ final entitlement.

    “A Nigerian would work under harsh and hard conditions for several years receiving peanuts and yet when the contract ends, the worker’s severance benefits are stolen away by contractors and hired by an international oil companies.

    “Most times when confronted, these IOCs feign ignorance of the whereabouts of these portfolio contractors and recruiters,” he said.

    On the deplorable state of roads across the country, NUPENG called on the Federal Government to expedite action on repairing bad roads within the six geo-political zones to assuage the sufferings of Nigerians, who are use the dilapidated roads.

  • 72-hour ultimatum: NUPENG urges LASG to develop Orile truck park

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has appealed to the Lagos State Government to help in rehabilitating the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Truck Park at Orile Iganmu.

    Mr. Tayo Aboyeji, Chairman, NUPENG Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday that the development of the Orile Park would bring permanent solution to all traffic problems being experienced in the Apapa Port area and decongest the Apapa Wharf area.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to truck drivers that parked along Apapa, Lagos road to vacate.

    Buhari noted that the directive would help in clearing the Apapa gridlock and help in restoring law and order to Apapa and its environs.

    “NUPENG is absolutely in support of clean-up of Apapa gridlock.  We equally support all the measures put in place by Presidential Taskforce to free Apapa gridlock,” Aboyeji said.

     

  • Thugs attack NLC, NUPENG leaders as labour pickets Ngige

    Suspected thugs yesterday attacked leaders and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) at the Asokoro, Abuja home of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige.

    Scores of other people were injured.

    The organised labour made good its threat to picket any interest relating to the minister for refusing to inaugurate the Chief Frank Kokori-led board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and replacing the veteran labour leader with another person.

    The workers and their leaders had converged on 19, Justice Muhammed Nasir Street, Asokoro, as early as 6.30 a.m, chanting solidarity songs.

    Suddenly, the suspected thugs came out of the house and chased them away.

    All those around scampered for safety.

    The workers regrouped and returned to base when their leaders, led by NLC President Ayuba Wabba, arrived on the scene.

    NUPENG officials used two trucks to block the entrance to the minister’s house.

    The suspected thugs started hauling stones at the labour leaders and workers, injuring many of them.

    A few vehicles were torched.

    Nine among the injured were admitted at the National Hospital’s Trauma Centre in Abuja; two of them are said to be in critical condition.

    When our correspondent visited the hospital, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police commissioner was said to have visited the place to see the injured.

    He reportedly left behind several plainclothes policemen to take statements from the victims.

    Wabba, who was also at the National Hospital, volunteered a statement to the security operatives.

    The NLC president told reporters that he was at the hospital to ensure that the injured received adequate medical attention.

    He said: “We have a record of those suspected thugs that attacked us. We captured them on camera and we have given that evidence to the police and we are sending one copy to the Department of State Services (DSS).

    “We have already called a meeting of the National Administrative Council and the Central Working Committee for Thursday (today) where a decision will be taken and the decision will be communicated to all the states.

    “Even the decision of the picketing was that of the National Delegates’ Conference because this is an issue that has been going on for about three years now. So, it is clearly an issue we are very passionate about. With the approach he has introduced into the matter, it is important that we try to respond effectively.

    “Gone are the days when workers were couched to sleep on their rights. Workers have struggled through history to ascertain their rights, particularly trade union and human rights. These are rights that are fundamental, which include the right to protest, the right to peaceful assembly and the right to picketing.

    “Looking at what has happened: it is evident that trust has broken down and he (Ngige) no longer has a right to say he is representing any worker as Minister of Labour. Workers in Nigeria will take a position to demonstrate that this is not something that should go unnoticed without immediate response.”