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Tag: PENGASSAN

  • PENGASSAN urges unity among workers

    The President of the Petroleum and natural gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, has called for unity among workers so that they can achieve the goals of protecting jobs and improving their welfare.

    Addressing some members of then  group at the fifth Triennial Delegates’ Conference of the  PENGASSAN Nigeria Gas Company (NGC/NGMC) in Abuja, Comrade Johnson admonished all members to work together for their benefits.

    “There is strength in unity and it is better we are united than being disunited. The unity of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group, which comprises of 11 subsidiaries, has been keeping the group standing.

    “Other sectors now look up to the NNPC group as a model for quality trade unionism and robust industrial relations system. We should all know that whatever affects NNPC affects other sectors of the oil and gas,” he said.

    The labour leader advised all trade union leaders, especially of the NNPC Group and PENGASSAN to set aside politics and individual interests and make the NNPC and national interest a common goal

    Comrade Johnson commended the NNPC management under Dr Maikanti Baru as the Group Managing Director for putting all efforts to ensure that the refineries are back on stream, adding that the Corporation should also work hard to ensure a financing system that will sustain the smooth running and maintenance of the refineries.

  • Falana urges NLC to lead workers on anti-corruption war

    …tasks PENGASSAN to recover $60b for minimum wage 

    Human right activist, Femi Falana (SAN) on Thursday urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to lead the nation’s workers in the fight against corruption. 

    He admonished the workers not to leave the battle to the government, stressing that “no government fights corruption genuinely.”

    He spoke as the guest speaker at the 40th anniversary of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria  (PENGASSAN) in Abuja.  The theme of discussion  was “Dynamic Labour Leadership Fueling the Edonomy.”

    The legal luminary, who insisted that Nigeria was yet to get value for its oil and gas industry blessings, wondered why the country remains a borrower instead of being a lender to other nations. 

    He said that peace will continue to elude the nation in as much as it has over 30 million children on the streets, stressing that the oil and gas industry remains the economic mainstay of the country that it can use to rescue the suffering citizenry. 

    Falana recalled that in 2015,, he wrote a letter to direct the attention of the Federal Government to the offshore and inland contract act that said that government should review the sharing contract whenever the price of crude oil exceeds $25 per barrel. Continuing, he said “I wrote to NNPC, I wrote to the Saraki led National Assembly  . In 2016, Kachikwu confessed that $60billion has been lost due to the non-implementation of the policy.”

    The senior lawyer noted that Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States challenged the non-implementation up to the Supreme Court, where it was in their favour on Wednesday. 

    He insisted that “we should collect the money. PENGASSAN should get the money for minimum wage.”

    Speaking,, President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said the association has played a vital role in the stabilization of the country. 

    Read Also: Obasanjo has right to support any candidate, says Falana

    He said that the government recognized the potential of the sector to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the nation. 

    He said that it was his pleasure to support the association in championing the N1.5billion appeal fund for a digital liibrary

    Kachikwu said that he was particularly grateful to the association for the support and understanding it accorded him during the increase in the pump price of petrol. 

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr. Maikanti Baru’ commended the association for the maturity it exhibited during industrial disputes resolutions. 

    Continuing, he said that “This is why I am enamoured of the theme of this event: “Dynamic Labour Leadership – Fueling the Economy”. Ours is a critical industry in respect of the economy of the state. Our action or inaction has a bearing on the Country’s social economic indices, performance and the well-being of the generality of Nigerians.”

     He said that the leadership and the followership of PENGASSAN  had aligned with Management and or Government to move the industry forward. 

    He noted that the Industry values the association’s  contribution to the current democratic dispensation in the Country. 

    According to him, “At the critical moments, the leadership of PENGASSAN and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), along with other labour unions, had made a difference, redirecting the course of the Nation’s history.

     “Similarly, the Corporation appreciates your consistent involvement in the Industry policy formulation. The most recent being the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Your advocacy for robust local content development as well as your complementary role to grow a virile and productive economy for the Country. 

    “These have gone a long way to demonstrate the high stake you have exhibited in the service of the Industry and the Nation. I can only add that you keep up your good work.”

  • PIB: Kachikwu commends PENGASSAN

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has commended the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for their contribution on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    Kachikwu gave the commendation at the  Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) PENGASSAN branch 5th  Triennial delegate Conference, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The Minister was represented by Ibrahim Mairiga, Director Human Resources,Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    ” I am happy with the relationship the union have with the ministry, DPR management and the  role it has played in the oil and gas sector in general.

    ” The ministry is also pleased with your contribution in the PIB, it was helpful for the National Assembly in carrying out their duty especially on ensuring that independent regulator emerges, ” he said

    He urged the new executives that would be elected after the conference to continue the good work for the growth of the sector as well as the country.

    In his remarks, DPR Executive Director, Dr Mordecai Ladan also commended the union members for their contribution in ensuring global best practices in the department.

    ” Your contribution has helped us to achieve so much as a regulator and I want you to keep it up.

    “I know we have made some decisions that are not palatable for the union but all was for the interest of the country and the sector.” he added.

    He urged the incoming executives to take a leaf from the outgoing member to ensure continuity in the system.

    Also, in his welcome address, the DPR Branch Chairman, Bello Garba said the union had collaborated with management in moving DPR forward.

    He said the union had continued to play very constructive role in protecting and strengthening the workforce which had contributed to positive results.

    “Overtime, unionism has changed remarkably in response to the major challenges and needs of members, particularly in the area of welfare and Nation building.

    ” I wish to point out that the union must be alive in proffering and supporting moves to better the situation in our nation, while maintaining it’s relevance as a pressure group.

    ” Therefore, it will be pleasing if we are able to achieve consensus on having well equipped and empowered. independent regulator, ” he said.

    According to him, it will culminate to a one-stop-shop for accelerating economic growth and development of Nigeria at large and the oil and gas industry in particular.

    He thanked members for the support they gave the union in the past three years. (NAN)

  • Strike: Offices, Schools, Hospitals shut down in Niger

    There was full compliance by workers in Niger state to the warning strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress to press for a new minimum wage for workers in the country took off.

    The state and federal Secretariats in Minna were put under lock and key with union officials standing by to ensure nobody entered any of the Secretariat.

    Also, health facilities were also locked to patients.

    Read Also: ‘Bello has no challenger in Niger’

    A number of Directors vehicles were seen outside the secretariat and at the gates of educational institutions, pupils and students returned home while their teachers were nowhere to be found.

    However, private organizations went about their normal businesses while petrol filling stations were opened to dispense fuel to motorists.

    An unofficial source said PENGASSAN in the state did not join the strike.

    The NLC Chairman, Yahaya Ndako Idris could not be reached as he had switched off all his cell phone

  • PENGASSAN, NUPENG to collaborate with NCDMB on local content

    The national executives of the Petroleum and the Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and their counterparts – Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) – have pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on local content development in the oil and gas industry.

    The unions made the commitment during a visit to the NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    PENGASSAN National Chairman  Comrade Francis Johnson commended the Board’s effort to the growth and development of the oil sector by encouraging indigenous participation.

    He said: “This engagement with the Board is quite revealing. We have learnt a lot about the laudable interventions of NCDMB. There is no better time to work with the Board. We are committed to work with you.”

    Johnson urged the Board  to prevent portfolio firms from grabbing the contracts, which would help to build and deepen the Nigerian content in the sector.

    On the Board’s headquarters construction, the PENGASSAN chief described the project as laudable. He said: “On behalf of PENGASSAN/NUPENG, I want to commend NCDMB for this project and I hope it will be completed soonest as we will be here to be a part of the official commissioning.”

    The Board’s Executive Secretary, Simbi Wabote, denied that the Board awards contracts. He reiterated that the NOGICD Act 2010 mandates the Board to review and approve the Nigerian Content plan and issue compliance certificates to  firms adhering to the Law.

    “Contrary to the widespread belief that NCDMB awards contracts, let me categorically say the Board is mandated to review, assess and approve Nigerian Content plans developed by operators.  We issue certificate of authorisation for projects that comply with Nigerian Content provisions,” Wabote said.

    Wabote highlighted the structure and operations of the Board and how both unions could enhance local content. He explained that the Nigerian Content is not about Nigerianisation but rather domestication and domiciliation of value-adding activities in-country.

    He said the Board’s efforts since the enactment of the Act had yielded tangible benefits, citing establishment and upgrade of fabrication yards, pipe coating plants, upstream production managed by indigenous companies, production of low/high voltage cables and partial integration of Egina floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO), as some of them.

    The NCDMB boss said the major challenges of the Board include infrastructure for the movement of materials, inter-agency collaboration, policy consistency and attraction of investors to set-up manufacturing outfit locally.

    Wabote called for the Unions’ support for the Board. He disclosed  the agency’s readiness to collaborate with the union.

    NUPENG Chairman Comrade Williams Akporeha said their collaboration with the Board would be total. He noted that they were happy with the Board’s achievemnets. He, however, suggested that NCDMB  woud introduce periodic consultative forum with the unions to boost Nigerian content practice.

    Akporeha said the Board has a major role to play to ensure smooth operations in the oil and gas industry and advised that NCDMB examine international practices on remunerations to employees

  • PENGASSAN advocates more recruitment into security agencies

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called on the Federal Government to begin immediate recruitment of more people into the security agencies, especially the Police Force and the  Army, to curb crimes.

    The senior staff union also demanded that the Army and the Police should reduce the number of operatives attached to politicians and few influential people to boost those at their operational areas.

    In a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Warri, Delta State, and signed by the President, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson and the General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN said the security agencies are already over stretched in maintenance of security and peace in the country.

    “The NEC-in-Session observed the inadequacy in the number of security agents, especially the army and police who are already overstretched in maintaining security and peace in the country. There should be immediate recruitment in these security agencies to arrest the situation.

    “The NEC-in-Session demanded that security operatives attached to politicians and powerful Nigerians in the country should be reduced to increase their number in operational areas,” the union stated.

    Recognising the strong and unequivocal commitment of the security agencies in ensuring security of lives and property in the country, PENGASSAN condemned in strong terms the resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

    PENGASSAN demanded that the Federal Government through the various security agencies should do everything possible in ensuring that the Dapchi Girls and all those in captivity regain freedom and re-unite them with their families.

    The union also advised relevant security agencies to immediately circulate emergency and security numbers for the benefit of Nigerians, as well as check the influx of small arms and ammunitions into the country.

  • Violence, herdsmen killings threat to foreign investments in Nigeria – NUPENGASSAN

    The two unions in the nation’s oil and gas sector, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have said that the incessant violent killings across the country is threatening direct foreign investments in the country.

    Operating under the auspices of NUPENGASSAN, the unions said it was worried over the lack of self-belief by the citizens, who have literally lost confidence in the political leadership, and are involve in criminal activities that jeopardises the existence of the Nigeria nation as a one and indivisible country.

    Speaking on behalf of the unions, National President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson said they were deeply disturbed about the incessant violent killings and wanton destruction of lives and properties, especially farm lands as well as threats to the food security base of the country, thereby increasing poverty and hunger in the country.

    They expressed concern that the security challenges in the country are threatening foreign direct investment as many international investors can start to misconstrue Nigeria as an unsafe and dangerous investment destination.

    NUPENGASSAN said “this equally amounts to the losses these crises have caused many of our members and the psychological and economic damage they have suffered over the years.

    “The Council frowns at repeated clashes of similar nature across the country, which obviously is making people become apprehensive because of fear of the unknown.

    Read Also: Herdsmen: Buhari can’t back killers – Kalu

    “The council-in-session of sheer patriotism calls on the Federal Government and the affected state governments to work together, taking immediate steps to reinvigorate and overhaul their security system, strengthen conflict-resolution mechanisms and initiate longer-term efforts to look into familiar problems of insecurity in their domains.

    “As socially responsible stakeholders in the Nigerian project that strongly believes in sanctity of human life, the Council-in-Session therefore appeals to Governments at all levels to jettison cheap politics, hypocrisy and bias. It is high time they empower all our security agencies with the right resources and concentrate more on surveillance, intelligence gathering and intelligence processing with the right technology and equipment.

    “We want the Government to ensure that people get reprieve from the incessant violence and more importantly create lasting solution whereby lives of citizens are protected as required by the constitution.”

    The unions tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) admonish to remain unbiased in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities so that the conduct of the election in the country in 2019 will be credible, transparent, free and fair.

    They also asked all political parties and stakeholders in politics to eschew violence and divisive politics through utterances and actions as well as promote virtues that will entrench strong and united Nigeria where socio-economic fortunes of the country will be maximized and sustained.

    While condemning the increasing high level of unemployment in the country, NUPENGASSAN said “Even where we have employment, the jobs have become more or less slave labour with no hope for career growth and development.

    “In almost all multinational oil companies in Nigeria, there are no more direct permanent jobs for the middle level to lower level cadre, which has now become a bigger challenge of increased violent crimes and suicidal migrations.

    “We demands that the Government should make positive change employment policies and system, especially in the Oil and Gas Industry. The Government should make it mandatory for every oil and gas company in Nigeria to employ not less than 50% of its employees of middle to junior cadre as direct permanent workers to help indigent and less privileged youths to grow, develop and have hope in the nation and for the future.

    They also condemns the increasing impunities and anti labour tendencies of most indigenous and multinational oil companies in the oil and gas industry operating in the country.

    The unions said that “a situation is compounded by the fact that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that is supposed to be the watchdog in the areas of compliance with extant labour laws is unfortunately handicapped because of poor understanding of the contract processing and workings in the oil and gas industry.”

  • PENGASSAN warns investors against Petrobras’ asset

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned the investing publics against purchasing any assets of the Petrobras Nigeria Limited.

    According to the senior staff trade union, Petrobras management had shown lack of respect  for the association as a viable stakeholder in the industry.

    In a letter signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, major industry agencies, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), related Federal Government agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), International Oil Companies (IOCs) and banks have been notified of the risks in buying Petrobras assets.

    PENGASSAN alleged that the company was involved in anti-union practices, such as severance of workers without due process, refusal to settle severed workers’benefits and abuse of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

    “The general public is hereby notified of the following practices by Petrobras Nigeria Limited in relation to PENGASSAN: Lack of respect and regard of the Association as a viable stakeholder in the Industry;unceremonious severance of our members in 2013 and 2015 respectively, following the unannounced divestment of 2013,without due settlement of their benefits; continued unilateral interpretation, and abuse of the extant Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in relation to our members severance benefits.

     

     

  • PENGASSAN warn against mass sack of workers

    Another crisis is brewing in the nation’s oil and gas sector following an alleged plan by the management of Chevron to sack about 500 workers in one full sweep.

    The oil workers have already gone spiritual with series of prayer sessions aimed at averting the impending shut down of the oil and gas sector if the threat to sack the workers sails through.

    National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) told The Nation that organized labour, especially those operating within the sector will not accept loss of job by their members under any guise.

    Johnson said even though measures have already been put in place to avert the crisis, they will not fold their arms and watch Nigerians lose their jobs without due process.

    He said: “For example, we have a case at hand now where Chevron, through HM15, is trying to lay off about 500 of our members and if they do that, there will be issues. Prayer session has already been started. We are also sensitizing Nigerians ahead of time that there is crisis looming. so, we must put our heads together to see how we can avert this.”

    Read Also: PENGASSAN urges politicians to enhance democratic values

    He also warned against plans by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS),aimed at reducing the long contracting cycle in the nation’s oil and gas sector, adding that both unions in the sector has already made their position on the issue known and are taking measure to tackle the issue.

    Johnson said: “If you are going to formulate policies for the smooth running of the sector, we should be carried along because we are stakeholders. There is need for us to sit down and discuss so that instead of us being reactive, we will be proactive to see how we can avert any crisis because we know the volatility of the oil and gas sector.

    “If we decide to shut down the system, we know the repercussions and the effect. We know that Nigerians will suffer because there will be long queues, there will be crisis and uncertainties. But we also don’t want that to happen. So, we saw the publication that NCDMB, OPTS and minister of state for petroleum that they have taken a decision about contract staffing and we issued a statement that it is not going to be acceptable.

    “By God’s grace, NUPENG and PENGASSAN are going to have a meeting. If you are going to take any action that you know is going to affect our members, what’s wrong in calling us together, let’s look at it together. It is unfortunate that most of these things are being done by the Nigerian counterpart. The essence of local content act was to allow Nigerians to take over the industry

    “We have issued a counter statement and if they want to try PENGASSAN and NUPENG, I wish them all the best. But we will not accept it.  We will not fold our hands to issues that will be of benefit to all Nigerians. For us, that issue of contract circle and SLA is dead on arrival.”

  • NUPENG, PENGASSAN seek national honours for unions’ leaders

    NIGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) leadership said it was pleased with the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to officially announce “June 12” as the new date to replace the traditional “May 29” as Democracy Day

    Its National President, Comrade Prince Williams Akporeha, in a statement, said: “We also commend the President for conferring a posthumous GCFR title on the winner of June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (of blessed memory), and GCON titles on his running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe as well as the late legal icon and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, posthumously for his role in the actualisation of the June 12 polls.

    He said the unions were, however, stunned that such high profile national recognition and honour was offered by the Presidency and no credit whatsoever was given to NUPENG and its sister union, PENGASSAN despite the roles played by their leaders.

    “Without contradiction, the democracy Nigeria enjoys today did not come on a silver platter, the leadership of these unions as well as our members fought for it, in some instances with our blood, tears, freedom, career and regrettably some paid the supreme price.

    “As responsible oil unions with long road to freedom and indelible footprints, we have left behind in the chequered history of the Nigeria, without sounding immodest, we believe names like Comrade (Chief) Frank Ovie Kokori (NUPENG former General Secretary), (late) Comrade Wariebi Kojo Agamene (former President of NUPENG), former General Secretary of PENGASSAN Comrade (Chief) Milton Gilchrist Dabibi and others should have featured prominently on that list.

    “These fearless and irrepressible Nigerians gave their all to earn the country democratic liberty. For pecuniary gains and other reasons, some other Nigerians pitched their tent with the tyrannical military regimes, but our leaders were resolute and blatantly refused to compromise or to receive any form of gratification, despite intimidation, victimisation, harassment and incarceration by the military despot.

    “We, therefore, use this veritable medium to appeal to our listening National leader, President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his think-tank to look inwards and make necessary amends by reviewing this list so as to accommodate the names of these veterans mentioned above.”