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Tag: NUPENG

  • NUPENG, PENGASSAN to FG: shun counsel on removal of fuel subsidy

    Workers in the oil and gas sector on Sunday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to shun any counsel that would destabilise or cause chaos in the economy.

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) gave the advice in a statement in Lagos.

    The statement was signed by Mr Okugbawa Lumumba, PENGASSAN General Secretary and Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG’s General Secretary.

    The Managing Director, International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde had on April  12 called on the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy because of low revenue mobilisation that existed  in terms of tax to Gross Domestic Product.

    They said that the IMF advice on how to recover Nigerian economy was worrisome as it had become counter productive.

    “Any economic policy that is devoid of human feelings can lead to more social dislocations and upheavals, which will later become counterproductive as currently experienced,’’ it said.

    The unions said that IMF had created panic in the country with associated hoarding of petroleum products, panic buying, skyrocketed increases in prices of goods and services in the country.

    Read also: Fuel: NUPENG, IPMAN say no reason for panic-buying

    It said that earlier, the IMF chief praised the significant progress the nation had made in terms of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that increased by 1.9 per cent in 2018 from 0.8 per cent in 2017.

    It said that the IMF was not considering the pains and agonies the people went through to achieve the  gains of 2018, with almost two-thirds of the world’s hungriest people among Nigerians.

    The unions also cautioned that imposing more stringent reforms in domestic revenue mobilisation including increase in VAT and securing more domestic oil revenues through subsidy removal was an attempt to destabilise the nation.

    The unions in the statement appealed to President Buhari to put in mind the current hardship the people were going through in their collective journey to economic recovery. (NAN)

  • Fuel: NUPENG, IPMAN say no reason for panic-buying

    QUEUES for fuel remained in parts of the country yesterday despite assurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) that there was no reason for panic buying.

    Long queues were noticed in some parts of Lagos like Ojota, Ogba and Ikeja as well as Abeokuta, and Ado Ekiti.

    The Ekiti State government warned owners and operators of filling stations in the state to desist from hoarding of petroleum products or face the consequences.

    Some filling stations did not sell fuel in Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti states.

    Petroleum stations at Iworoko, Ikere Ekiti, old Iyin Road, Bank road, and Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti failed to open for operation.

    IPMAN, NUPENG say there is no need for panic buying

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), urged Nigerians to stop panicking over fuel scarcity as there is sufficient product.

    IPMAN said there was sufficient fuel in the country and about six vessels of imported petrol ordered by the NNPC were currently discharging the product.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, the National President of IPMAN, as saying that all the NNPC depots across the states had commenced loading of petroleum product by marketers.

    He said: “Marketers are currently loading petrol in Makurdi, Kano, Enugu, Aba, Yola, Suleja, Kaduna, Ejigbo, Mosinmi, Ibadan and other depots across the country.

    “The shortfall in distribution was due to slow pace of product importation and hitches at the jetty which had been addressed.

    “But the Federal Government is on top of the situation, there is enough of petrol to go round. I have also instructed all our members to ensure adequate distribution of the product across the country.

    “I have also directed them to ensure product is sold at official price of N145 per litre. If there is any issues on distribution and pricing differentials, members should call the secretariat for further action.

    “The Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) template has not changed, so, no marketer should influence hike or sell above official price,” he said.

    He stressed further that IPMAN had so far reached an agreement with other marketers for better synergy in making the product available in the country.

    “IPMAN which controls 80 per cent outlets, has more advantage in distributing and dispensing in both urban and hinterlands in the country.

    Mr. Tayo Aboyeji, Chairman, Lagos Zone of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), in a separate interview said: “there is enough fuel, Nigerians should avoid panic buying.”

    He said that “there is fuel and it is available, as I am talking to you now, some of the depots have received the products and are already loading.

    “What is happening was panic buying, people think there might be price increase from government or removal of subsidy.

    But nothing of such, government has assured us that no increase in petrol pricing for now, so, Nigerians and marketers should avoid being panic over fuel scarcity.

    “I urge Nigerians and motorists to avoid storing of petrol at home because it’s dangerous for us, fuel is available, I have visited some depots and I can confirmed to you that loading is going on.

    Read also: Disregard rumour of fuel scarcity, NNPC tells Nigerians

    “As at Friday, we had instructed our tanker drivers to engage in 24-hours loading activities and lift products from depots to filling stations across the country.

    “We will ensure 24-hours service delivery of product distribution in the country, we also urge government to checkmate activities of the task force in Lagos and along Ibadan expressway.

    “Our members are being extorted and harassed by members of the task force. Some drivers who were scheduled to load in Lagos were denied asses to Lagos, which also affects effective distribution of products,” he said.

    Alhaji Debo Ahmed, the Chairman, Western Zone of IPMAN, however, attributed the ongoing queues at some stations was due to shortfall in NNPC distribution network to depots.

    Ahmed said that all depots within the South-West zone were loading at a low pace due to insufficient products.

    “We have lots of pending tickets from marketers awaiting loading at depots but were still stranded.

    Ekiti warns dealers of petroleum products against hoarding.

    Continue in page 2

  • IPMAN, NUPENG assures of products availability

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have urged Nigerians to stop panicking over fuel scarcity as there is sufficient product.

    The duo said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos against the backdrop of the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country.

    The association confirmed that about six vessels of imported petrol ordered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were currently discharging the product, assuring that the corporation has sufficient products.

    Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, the National President of IPMAN, told NAN that there was no need for panicking over fuel scarcity, as virtually all the NNPC depots across the states had commence loading of petroleum product by marketers.

    ‘’Marketers are currently loading petrol in Makurdi, Kano, Enugu, Aba,Yola, Suleja, Kaduna, Ejigbo, Mosinmi, Ibadan and other depots across the country.

    ‘’The shortfall in distribution was due to slow pace of product importation and hitches at the jetty which had been addressed.

    ‘’But the Federal Government is on top of the situation, there is enough of petrol to go round. I have also instructed all our members to ensure adequate distribution of the product across the country.

    “I have also directed them to ensure product is sold at official price of N145 per litre. If there is any issues on distribution and pricing differentials, members should call the secretariat for further action.

    ‘’The Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) template has not changed, so, no marketer should influence hike or sell above official price,’’ he said.

    Okoronkwo reaffirmed the commitment of the association toward supporting the Federal Government’s efforts on effective and efficient distribution of petroleum products across the country.

    He stressed further that IPMAN had so far reached an agreement with other marketers for better synergy in making the product available in the country.

    “IPMAN which controls 80 per cent outlets, has more advantage in distributing and dispensing in both urban and hinterlands in the country.

    “In line with the Federal Government’s efforts at ensuring efficient petroleum products distribution across the country, IPMAN members have opted for a seamless distribution of petroleum products,’’ he said.

    He noted that such synergy amongst members with the Federal Government, would present a common front that would advance the interest of the group and ensure smooth distribution of the products across the country.

    Mr Tayo Aboyeji, Chairman, Lagos Zone of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), also colloborated the IPMAN’s president, saying “there is enough fuel, Nigerians should avoid panic buying’’.

    Aboyeji said that “there is fuel and it is available, as I am talking to you now, some of the depots have received the products and are already loading.

    “What is happening was panic buying, people think there might be price increase from government or removal of subsidy.

    “But nothing of such, government has assured us that no increase in petrol pricing for now, so, Nigerians and marketers should avoid being panic over fuel scarcity.

    READ ALSO: NUPENG urges Nigerians to stop panic buying of fuel

    “I urge Nigerians and motorists to avoid storing of petrol at home because it’s dangerous for us, fuel is available, I have visited some depots and I can confirmed to you that loading is going on.

    ‘’As at Friday, we have instructed our tanker drivers to engage in 24-hours loading activities and lift products from depots to filling stations across the country.

    “We will ensure 24-hours service delivery of product distribution in the country, we also urge government to checkmate activities of the task force in Lagos and along Ibadan expressway.

    “Our members are being extorted and harassed by members of the task force. Some drivers who were scheduled to load in Lagos were denied asses to Lagos, which also affects effective distribution of products,’’ he said.

    Alhaji Debo Ahmed, the Chairman, Western Zone of IPMAN, however attributed the ongoing queues at some stations was due to shortfall in NNPC distribution network to depots.

    Ahmed said that all depots within the South-West zone were loading at a low pace due to insufficient products.

    “We have lots of pending tickets from marketers awaiting loading at depots but were still stranded.

    Also, Alhaji Ayo Alanamu, the Chairman, IPMAN Ejigbo Satellite depot, attributed the challenges to shortfall of the product from NNPC.

    Alanamu said that marketers, IPMAN and NNPC retails battled with 40-trucks on daily basis which was not sufficient.

    He urged government to expedite action toward importing more products to avoid another round of scarcity that had ended.

    He noted that depot owners were also contributing to the scarcity due to the hike in pricing.

    NAN recalls that on April 12, NNPC said trending social media report of an impending fuel scarcity due to purported refusal by some oil marketers to lift products from depots was false.

  • NUPENG urges Nigerians to stop panic buying of fuel

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Saturday called on Nigerians to stop panic buying of petrol  and diesel as there was enough of the products in circulation.

    Mr Tayo Aboyeji, the NUPENG South West Chairman, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    “Nigerians should stop spreading and listening to rumours of government removing fuel subsidy and increasing pump price of fuel.

    READ ALSO: NUPENG pledges seamless fuel distribution

    “We are not aware of such move, there is enough fuel in circulation and no increase have been made so far, ” Aboyeji said.

    The NUPENG boss cautioned Nigerians of the impeding dangers of storing and stock piling fuel at homes and shops, especially during this hot weather.

    “Careless storage of fuel can lead to fire disaster both in the house or in the car,” Aboyeji added.

    NAN reports that some few gas stations are not selling fuel while the few ones selling are witnessing long queue of vehicles and jerry cans in Lagos and other parts of the country.

    Despite the long queues, however, transport fares in most parts of Lagos state remain the same.

  • NUPENG confirms Afolabi as Gen Sec

    The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has confirmed Comrade Olawale Afolabi as its General Secretary. He has been acting for three months.

    Afolabi has served the union for over two decades.

    According to the union, he is known for the creation, development and launch of viable operations with robust, deep and ingenious ideas.

    “His skills in industrial relations, general management and organisational development were acquired and nurtured over the years in various roles,” the union said.

    A founding member of Nigerian Labour Movement Educators’ Forum, Afolabi was in charge of the education and training.

    Read also: NUPENG, PTD to Atiku: shelve legal action over poll

    Similarly, the union has promoted Comrade Christopher Akpede to Deputy General Secretary, Administration. He was principal assistant general secretary and head of the Port Harcourt zone of the union.

    Others, who were promoted to the position of deputy general secretary were Comrades Anthony Chukwu (finance/accounts) and Otite Precious Onohwohwo (Operations).

    They will assume duties on  Monday April 1.

  • NNPC begins rehabilitation of Port-Harcourt refinery

    Nigeria’s effort at ensuring local sufficiency in refined petroleum products was bolstered on Thursday with the formal commencement of the first phase of the rehabilitation of the 210,000 barrels per day capacity Port-Harcourt Refinery complex that comprises the 60,000 barrels per day old Refinery built in 1965 and the 150,000 barrels per day, new Refinery, commissioned in 1989.

    The exercise, flagged–off by an elated Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, at a formal kick–off meeting in the premises of the refinery in Port-Harcourt, came 19 years after the last Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) exercise of the nation’s premier refining plant.

    NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in a release in Abuja, said the project would be executed by Milan-based Maire Tecnimont S.p.A, in collaboration with its Nigerian affiliate, Tecnimont Nigeria.

    The release disclosed that Maire Tecnimont S.p.A is listed on Milan Stock Exchange with interest in international engineering and construction, technology and licensing, and energy business development, adding that the Tecnimont group had operations in 40 different countries, numbering about 50 operative companies with a workforce of about 5,500 employees.

    The NNPC’s spokesman quoted the GMD as saying that at the end of the phase 1, the Refinery complex should be able to reach 60 per cent capacity utilisation.

    Ughamadu stated that NNPC was engaging eni/NAOC as Technical Advisor to support the Rehabilitation of PHRC, saying NNPC/PHRC would leverage eni’s extensive refinery supply chain network and warehouses to procure critical materials for the programme.

    He noted the first phase of the rehabilitation contract which would run for six months will involve detailed integrity check and equipment inspection of the Port-Harcourt Refinery complex beginning from end of March, 2019.

    The integrity test comes as a forerunner to the second phase of the rehabilitation project which entails a comprehensive revamp of the complex aimed at restoring the refinery to a minimum of 90 per cent capacity utilisation.

    Subject to the successful completion of the integrity checks, Phase 2 of the project would be executed on an Engineering Procurement Construction basis by Tecnimont in collaboration with the original builders of the plant, JGC of Japan.

    READ ALSO: We are recruiting, NNPC confirms

    Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Antonio Vella, Chief Officer, Upstream, Eni, said all the companies involved would deploy all available modern resources to ensure effective upgrade of the plant.

    Vella enthused that with the commitment of all parties involved, it was certain that NNPC would be able to celebrate the revamp of the PHRC that would lead to its full capacity utilization on schedule and in full safety.

    Speaking on behalf of the workers unions, Comrade Odor Victor Ayiri, Branch Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and Comrade Dibiah Joseph, Chairman of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), jointly pledged the support of workers to ensuring a smooth turnaround of the facility.

    It will be recalled that the NNPC had to abandon its earlier funding strategy by its DSDP Term Contractors/Consortia due to onerous conditions demanded after more than twelve (12) months of negotiations.

     NNPC has resolved to immediate direct funding from internal cash flows while it goes to the financial markets for debt financing.

    NNPC further segmented the Rehabilitation to begin with Port-Harcourt Refinery Complex and then progress to Warri and Kaduna Refinery complexes using the same methodology.

  • NUPENG, PTD to Atiku: shelve legal action over poll

    The Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD), branch  of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers  (NUPENG), has appealed to the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to rescind his decision to contest the outcome of last weekend presidential election won by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In the result announced by the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Buhari, the APC candidate,  scored a total votes of  15, 191, 847 to defeat  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who polled 11, 262, 978.

    The PDP candidate has since disclosed his intention to challenge the result of the election at the tribunal.

    But the  national chairman of the Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD),  branch of NUPENG, Otunba Oladiti Salimon,  urged the former vice- president to reverse his decision.

    Oladiti,  in a statement  in Abuja,  advised the main opposition party to take advantage of President Buhari’s pledge to run an inclusive government as very reassuring.

    The NUPENG boss expressed concern that threats in certain quarters to form a parallel government was inimical to peace and further admonished all political actors to work for national cohesion and unity.

    The statement reads in part:  “ The PTD hereby calls on the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to accept the results and accept the election of Muhammadu Buhari as the President. We further call on the PDP to take advantage of the president’s pledge to run an inclusive government. The union also condemns calls for  a parallel government or mobilisation of the masses for   disobedience to constituted authority.

    “We join other peace-loving Nigerians and friends of the country to call for unity, peace and order. We are also committed to the indivisibility of the country and dissociate ourselves from plans and orchestration to be used for violence or mass action.

    “ Consequently, we implore all losers, irrespective of their parties, to rein in their supporters and avoid circumstances in which they may resort to acts inimical to public safety.

    “We further urge such political players to use legal processes open to them as citizens to pursue their legitimate complaints relating to alleged infractions. We restate our confidence in the Nigerian judicial system and hope that it will serve as a neutral arbiter in the event that cases relating to the electoral exercise are brought before it.

    “Our constitution and the electoral act are clear on ways and means aggrieved persons can seek redress in situations they strongly believe that their chances to have won their positions were undermined.

    “We must be reminded that Nigeria is our only country. We must do all within our capacity to keep it peaceful. We will support efforts in this regard and once again persuade our political actors to work for national cohesion and unity.”

    The union called on President Buhari not to disappoint Nigerians who voted for him for a fresh mandate as it noted that the electorate were deserving of good governance in appreciation of their trust in his leadership.

    “We urge President Buhari not to fail Nigerians in his commitment to the common good for the greatest number of our people. It is that confidence in him  that has earned him their unwavering support despite the elite gang-up. He has not disappointed them.

    “A lot still needed to be done in the area of the provision  of critical infrastructure to stimulate economic growth, provision of jobs for the army of our unemployed youths and security of lives and property of the average Nigerian.”

  • NUPENG pledges seamless fuel distribution

    Ahead tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, the National Executive leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has assured that there will be free flow of petroleum products across the country.

    In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, urged his members across board to remain law-abiding and exercise their civic responsibilities during the conduct of the electoral process.

    “In specific term, the leadership wishes to notify the teeming members who traverse the nooks and crannies of Nigeria in refining and distribution of petroleum products for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes to remain unfettered in discharging their legitimate duties so that the electoral process will be smooth and hitch-free.

    Read also: Ogun APC chief: no ballot papers found in my house

    “NUPENG will not deter in contributing its quota in sustaining and promoting the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity; determined to avoid any conduct or behaviour that will endanger the political stability and national security of Nigeria,” the statement read.

  • NUPENG, PENGASSAN urge Buhari to accelerate PIB assent

    Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) have  appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to assent the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    The oil workers argued that the bill, when passed into law, would end political interference in the sector and optimise value chain in the upstream, midstream and downstream of the petroleum industry.

    They said it would also separate the role of policy makers from the regulator.

    Giving more instances, the unions noted that in the Bill, roles and accountability are better clarified; governance and transparency strengthened, and inefficiency, maladministration, corruption and secrecy are tackled.

    According to them, these are important and must be upheld. The unions said this why they commended the Federal Government for its milestone with the flag-off and official commencement of crude oil search in the Kolmani Well River-II, located near Barambu, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

    They said the feat achieved was a reflection of government’s resolve and commitment to grow Nigeria’s economy, boost capacity and provide energy sufficiency as well as strengthen the country’s oil and gas industry.

    The initiative, according to the workers, would go a long way in galvanising the current government’s national drive for jobs creation, youth empowerment and human capital development.

    They also extended their commendations to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru,  for their contributions to the ceremony.

    “The untiring and fantastic efforts of our irrepressible members to the realisation of the noble dream are also highly commendable and we praise their uncommon contributions to the growth and development of our dear country.

    “There is no iota of doubt in our minds that workers have capacity and ability to deliver even much more than their counterparts in other climes when given the right tools and right working environment and conditions to do so.

    “This historic flag off is without doubt, a full demonstration of Nigerians’ resilience, doggedness and determination, and the entire productive oil and gas workers are very proud of this great achievement and we promise to keep raising the bar with other committed stakeholders.”

     

  • Afolabi is NUPENG’s acting general secretary

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has appointed Olufemi Afolabi as its acting General Secretary.

    Afolabi was NUPENG’s Deputy General Secretary, Operations.

    He received the baton from Adamu Song on January 1, this year, who has retired.

    Afolabi is a 1991 Philosophy graduate of the University of Lagos. He obtained a Masters in Industrial and Labour Relations at University of Ibadan in 1997.

    He received a Post Graduate Certificate in Labour Policies Studies in 2004 from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

    He has been in service for over two decades at NUPENG in Management, Training/Education, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Negotiations..

    Before his promotion, Afolabi was in charge of training and a founding member of the labour movement educators’ forum.

    Afolabi is an alumnus of numerous local and international management and professional programmes in Nigeria and other African countries, United States as well as other Southern and Northern American countries, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

    He has attended various seminars and training organised by International Labour Organisation (ILO).