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  • PENGASSAN pickets Sterling Oil over alleged expatriate abuse, anti-labour activities

    PENGASSAN pickets Sterling Oil over alleged expatriate abuse, anti-labour activities

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Tuesday staged a protest at the headquarters of Sterling Oil Exploration on Victoria Island, Lagos, over alleged anti-labour practices and expatriate abuse by the company.

    The protest, which commenced as early as 6 a.m., saw union leaders and workers chanting labour solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Reinstate Sacked Nigerian Workers,” “Stop Collective Bargaining Agreement Victimisation,” and “Stop CBA Violation.”

    The demonstrators accused the company of systemic discrimination against skilled Nigerian workers in favour of Indian expatriates.

    President of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo while addressing journalists and union members, condemned the management of Sterling Oil for abusing the expatriate quota system, which, he claimed, had led to the monopolisation of jobs by Indian nationals at the expense of qualified Nigerians.

    “Our members in Sterling have been pushed to the background; they should tell us how many Nigerians are working in Sterling today that are managers. They should tell us how many Nigerians today are working in Sterling that are general managers. However, when you go to other international oil and gas companies, you have Nigerians even as managing directors, deputy managing directors, executive general managers, general managers, and so on,” Osifo said.

    Read Also: Port Harcourt Refinery is working, says PENGASSAN

    He further alleged that Sterling Oil employed over 10,000 expatriates, all of Indian origin, in Nigeria, including roles that could be filled by Nigerians.

    “In Sterling Global, we have expatriates as gate men, vulcanisers; we have expatriates making tea; we have expatriates that are Nigerian cooks, cooking for Nigerians to eat in Nigeria,” Osifo added.

    The union leader stressed that the protest was only the beginning of a series of actions that would continue if an agreement was not reached.

    He warned that failure to address the concerns could lead to a nationwide strike, potentially paralysing the oil and gas industry.

    “If this is not corrected, this has the propensity of leading to a national strike, where we will call out our members across the nook and cranny of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Also, remember, the operations of the entire oil and gas industry in Nigeria are manned by our members, and we will call them out; the entire operations will be grounded. So, government must act, and the time to act is now,”

    Among other grievances, the union demanded the reinstatement of sacked members and called for an immediate end to Sterling Oil’s alleged anti-labour policies.

    In response, Sterling Oil, in a communique signed by its management, announced that all employees had been directed to work from home pending the resolution of the dispute.

    The company assured that the matter would be addressed soon.

  • PENGASSAN condemns assault on oil workers

    PENGASSAN condemns assault on oil workers

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), yesterday bemoaned the brutality and use of force on oil and gas workers at the Oritsetimeyin Oil and Gas rig by the military and other security agencies hired by Dutchford E&P,  Selective Marine Services and its labour contractors.

    This was contained in a press statement issued by association’s President, Comrade Festus Osifo and the Secretary General, and Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa.

    According to the statement, “The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), strongly condemns the brutal and excessive use of force by the military and other security agencies hired by Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services and its Labour Contractors against Oil and Gas workers at the Oritsetimeyin Oil and Gas Rig.”

    The association said the barbaric act negates the tenets of the Nigerian Constitution and all extant laws governing the operations in the nation’s oil and gas sector.

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    PENGASSAN said it is on record that these companies are notorious for violating signed agreements reached with various parties including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on payments and other entitlements due to their workers dating back to 2022.

    The statement reads in part: “We warn that if the reports indicate that if and Gas workers are violently ejected from the Rig any date soon, PENGASSAN will deploy every arsenal at its disposal to frustrate such moves; as this unconscionable act represents a grave violation of human rights and known labour convention.

    “The use of military actions against unarmed workers is completely unjustifiable and disproportionate because, it is the Nigerian workers who have been subjugated to unfair workplace policies, including being  paid meager wages while working in a hazardous environment that should be the complainant.

    “While we understand and commend the workers for their professional disposition to keep the oil rigs flowing, the response of deploying the military to violently remove them is unacceptable and demonstrates a complete disregard for human life and the rule of law.

    “The use of such force against unarmed civilians engaged in legitimate work is abhorrent and cannot be tolerated.

    “We demand a full and transparent investigation into this incident, leading to the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for ordering and carrying out this brutal assault.”

  • PENGASSAN condemns alleged assault of oil workers

    PENGASSAN condemns alleged assault of oil workers

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has bemoaned the alleged brutality and use of force on oil and gas workers at the Oritsetimeyin Oil and Gas rig by the military and other security agencies hired by Dutchford E&P, 

    Selective Marine Services and its labour contractors.

    This was contained in a statement by association’s President, Comrade Festus Osifo and the Secretary General, and Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa.

    The statement reads:  “The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), strongly condemns the brutal and excessive use of force by the military and other security agencies hired by Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services and its Labour Contractors against Oil and Gas workers at the Oritsetimeyin Oil and Gas Rig.”

    The association said the barbaric act negates the tenets of the Nigerian Constitution and all extant laws governing the operations in the nation’s oil and gas sector.

    PENGASSAN said it is on record that these companies are notorious for violating signed agreements reached with various parties including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on payments and other entitlements due to their workers dating back to 2022.

    The statement reads in part: “We warn that if the reports indicate that if and Gas workers are violently ejected from the Rig any date soon, PENGASSAN will deploy every arsenal at its disposal to frustrate such moves; as this unconscionable act represents a grave violation of human rights and known labour convention.

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    “The use of military actions against unarmed workers is completely unjustifiable and disproportionate 

    because, it is the Nigerian workers who have been subjugated to unfair workplace polices, including being 

    paid meager wages while working in a hazardous environment that should be the complainant.

    “While we understand and commend the workers for their professional disposition to keep the oil rigs flowing, the response of deploying the military to violently remove them is unacceptable and demonstrates a complete disregard for human life and the rule of law. 

    “The use of such force against unarmed civilians engaged in legitimate work is abhorrent and cannot be tolerated.

    “We demand a full and transparent investigation into this incident, leading to the immediate arrest and 

    prosecution of those responsible for ordering and carrying out this brutal assault. The perpetrators must 

    be held accountable for their actions under both national and international law. 

    “Furthermore, we demand a guarantee of the safety and security of all Oil and Gas workers on the Rigs, and 

    a commitment from the relevant authorities to uphold the rights of workers and engage in peaceful conflict 

    resolution.

    “PENGASSAN wll not sit idly while such egregious human rights violations occur. We will utilise all available avenues to ensure justice for the members and to prevent any future reoccurrence. 

    “We call on all concerned citizens, human rights organisations, and international bodies to join us in condemning this violence and demanding accountability, as silence n the face of such brutality is complicity.”

  • Privatise nation’s refineries, PENGASSAN Fed Govt

    Privatise nation’s refineries, PENGASSAN Fed Govt

    The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, on Friday, September 27, called on the Federal Government to urgently fix the four national refineries and divest the majority share in the facilities to the private sector.

    Addressing the media at the official presentation of the PENGASSAN communique issued arising from its 2024 PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit, to the media in Lagos, Osifo said the country refineries should be modelled after the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) model, which appears to have been successful.

    “Ramping up efforts to make the Nation’s four refineries work; once operational, the government should divest majority shareholdings and own at most 49 percent of the shareholding in the four refineries. Core investors will be brought in to take the 51 percent as applicable in NLNG,” he admonished.

    Osifo regretted that the inter-land petroleum depots in six geopolitical zones of the country are dilapidated and stressed the need for the government to get the depots fixed in collaboration with the private sector to ensure the smooth distribution of petroleum products and enhance the national strategic reserve.

    PENGASSAN also called for the expansion of pipelines that could be used in the delivery of refined petroleum products across the length and breadth of the country as this would reduce the pressure put on the roads by trucks carrying petroleum products.

    Read Also: PENGASSAN to Fed Govt: increase stake in Dangote Refinery to 45%

    According to PENGASSAN, the group also recommended digital intervention to curtail crude oil theft; re-engineer security architecture; and ensure ease of doing business, by reducing bureaucracies or complex regulations that make the gas investment unattractive to investors, among others.

    Osifo said very severe punishment should be meted out to persons involved in crude oil theft to serve as a deterrent to others.

    Urging the government to implement the provision for host communities in the Petroleum Industry Act, he said the summit was worried that three years after the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act  (PIA) 2021, the section of the act had not been implemented at all. The Act stipulated that three percent of the operational revenue of the oil companies should be contributed to the host community fund.

    He enjoined the government to also create a business-friendly environment by creating incentives for more investors to tap into the nation’s abundant gas resources.

    In the upstream, it suggested an amendment of the PIA 2021 to include the divestment framework, noting that the previous divestments are not yielding results as the companies lack the financial capacity to sustain and expand the divested oil wells.

    The group also enjoined the Nigerian energy sector to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancement to improve productivity and sustainability and tackle oil theft and smuggling.

    PENGASSAN also called on the Federal Government to increase its stake in Dangote refinery to 45 percent from the present 7.2 percent to foster product availability to meet local demands, adding that this would ensure further energy assurance and security for the citizens.

  • Poor distribution system causing fuel scarcity, says PENGASSAN

    Poor distribution system causing fuel scarcity, says PENGASSAN

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has attributed the lingering fuel queues across the country to a deficient distribution network in the oil and gas industry’s downstream segment.

    The association said this during its third Energy and Labour Summit in Abuja.

    PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo explained how the country’s truck-based distribution system has become obsolete and unable to meet the demands of increasing population of fuel users.

    The union leader called for immediate upgrades of the distribution channels to stop perennial queues across the country.

    He said no other country that is as big as Nigeria with such a huge population relies on a single point of product importation and uses trucks for distribution.

    Such a system, Osifo noted, is susceptible to disruptions, such as bad roads and flooding, which could further result in fuel scarcity.

    According to him, there’s need for the government to develop and strengthen the country’s petroleum value chain to ensure a more efficient and reliable distribution system without which the country would continue to face recurring scarcity.

    Besides discussing other key concerns impacting the oil and gas sector, the union leader stressed that the security burden placed on companies contributed to the nation’s high production costs, approximately 15 to 20 per cent greater than those of other countries.

    To uphold sector’s integrity and discourage unethical behaviour, Osifo urged the government to seize security duties from investors, reinforce anti-oil theft legislation, and apply stiffer sanctions.

    “Our distribution chain has challenges. The distribution chain is weak in the downstream section of the oil and gas industry.

    Read Also: PENGASSAN: Poor distribution channel behind fuel scarcity

    “That is why today you see queues in most of the filling stations. The problem may be solved today, but tomorrow it will resurface.

    “It’s because there is no other country in the world that is as big as Nigeria, that has the same population that we have, that brings its product to a particular area, and uses trucks to take it around.

    “It’s because whenever there are challenges, whenever roads are bad, whenever you have floods, those trucks cannot pass through a certain area and what is going to happen?” he said.

    The union leader noted that the result of such a development is scarcity.

    Osifo added: “So, we must do everything possible to strengthen that area.

    “So, as PENGASSAN, we have called for this in the past, and we also reiterate that today, that the value chain must be developed.”

  • PENGASSAN: Poor distribution channel behind fuel scarcity

    PENGASSAN: Poor distribution channel behind fuel scarcity

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has attributed the ongoing fuel shortages across the country to an inadequate distribution network in the downstream segment of the oil and gas industry.

    Speaking at the third edition of the PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit in Abuja, the union’s president, Comrade Festus Osifo, highlighted that the nation’s reliance on a truck-based distribution system has become outdated and insufficient to meet the demands of Nigeria’s large population.

    Osifo called for immediate upgrades to address this issue, pointing out that no country as large as Nigeria, with its significant population, depends on a single point of product importation and uses trucks for nationwide distribution.

    He stressed that this system is vulnerable to disruptions like bad roads and flooding, which can lead to fuel shortages.

    According to him, there’s a need for the government to develop and strengthen the country’s value chain to ensure a more efficient and reliable distribution system without which the country would continue to face recurring fuel shortages.

    In addition to discussing other key concerns impacting the oil and gas sector, Osifo highlighted that the security burden placed on these companies contributes to the nation’s high production costs, approximately 15–20 percent greater than those of other countries.

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    To uphold the sector’s integrity and discourage unethical behaviour, Osifo encouraged the government to seize security duties from investors, reinforce anti-oil theft legislation, and apply stiffer sanctions.

    He said: “Our distribution chain has challenges, that the distribution chain is weak in the downstream section of the oil and gas industry.

    “So that is why today you see queues in most of the stations. The problem may be solved today, but tomorrow it will be surfaced.

    “Because there is no country in the world that is as big as Nigeria, that has the same population that we have in Nigeria, that brings its product to a particular area and uses trucks to take it around.

    “Because whenever there are challenges, whenever roads are bad, whenever you have floods, those trucks cannot pass through a certain area and what is going to happen?” Queried the PENGASSAN boss.

    He underlined that the effect will be scarcity adding: “So, we must do everything possible to strengthen that area.

    “So, as PENGASSAN, we have called for this in the past, and we also reiterate that today, the value chain must be developed.”

  • Indians taking over low-level jobs in oil and gas – PENGASSAN

    Indians taking over low-level jobs in oil and gas – PENGASSAN

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has queried high influx of Indians in the oil and gas industry in the country.

    PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, said Indians are taking over low-level jobs in the sector in flagrant abuse of the expatriate quota system.

    Osifo raised the concern at the closing of the 3rd edition of the three-day Energy and Labour Summit in Abuja yesterday.

    The summit was  themed: “The Future of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry: Energy Mix, Energy Security, Artificial Intelligence, Divestment, and Crude Oil Theft”.

    Osifo said that the increasing dominance of expatriates, particularly Indian nationals in the sector was alarming.

    “They are taking over low-level jobs, which is a blatant abuse of the expatriate quota system

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    “In Sterling Oil today, it will amaze you to discover that we have more Indians working there compared to the number of Nigerians.

    “In fact, up to vulcanizers, you have Indians carrying out such low jobs and functions in all their plants as operators and some are even gate keeping operators,” he said.

    Osifo said that the union has been engaging the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board(NCDMB) to address the issue but to no avail.

    According to him, today Nigerians are looking for jobs, our graduates who are out from the universities are looking for work to do.

    “But we keep granting expatriate quotas to these Indian companies and they have abused it, ”he said.

    He alleged that the companies have manipulated the system by registering numerous Shell companies to facilitate the influx of expatriates.

    He said that they have registered over 200 companies to perpetrate the act.

    “When they are bringing in 10 Indians, they will use one company. Tomorrow, when they are bringing in another 20, they will use another company.

    “So, if you check, you will discover that over 100 or 200 companies registered spread these Indians across  board,” Osifo said.

    He said PENGASSAN had engaged in extensive stakeholder discussions over the past two years to address the issue without result.

    “What is left for us might probably be a confrontation. We are fully prepared because we cannot be slaves in Nigeria.

    “Nigeria’s oil resources belong to Nigerians and it should benefit them first and foremost. It doesn’t belong to Sterling or any other,” he said.

    He called on the Federal Government to act fast and protect Nigerian workers’ rights and opportunities.

    Osifo said that the number of Indian nationals employed at Indorama’s facilities in Port Harcourt surpasses that of Nigerians.

    He said they were paid in U.S. dollars while Nigerian workers grapple with the effects of currency devaluation.

    “This situation is unacceptable and it must be addressed now,” Osifo said.

    He urged  authorities concerned to take decisive action against companies  exploiting the expatriate quota system to the detriment of Nigerian workers.

  • PENGASSAN raises the alarm over crude theft

    PENGASSAN raises the alarm over crude theft

    • Warns govt over floatation of naira

    Winning the war against oil theft is paramount to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and it would not relent until victory is achieved.

    Its President, Comrade  Festus Osifo, stated this at the PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit (PEALS 2024) in Abuja.

    He said a country that could not meet its energy needs or guarantee energy availability for its citizens was on the path of becoming a failed state.

    Osifo, also president, Trade Union Congress (TUC), attributed the hardship to the policies of the government like the floating of the currency.

    Speaking on the theme: “The future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry: Energy mix, energy security, Artificial Intelligence, divestment, and crude oil theft”, he said: “The scourge of crude oil theft poses a significant threat to our industry, economy, and national integrity.

    “As an association, we have mounted the rostrum over time, on the streets and in the boardroom, to champion this cause, and we will not relent until victory is certain.

    “We are steadfast in our resolve to continuously partner other stakeholders in the industry to combat this menace through enhanced security measures, technological innovations, community engagement, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.’’

    Osifo said Nigeria stood at a crossroads, especially in the oil and gas sector, and the actions and decisions of the association must gear toward rescuing the country.

    Read Also: NUPENG, PENGASSAN call for probe of IOCs

    He said the summit would design a framework for a policy trust for the government towards shaping the economic outlook of the country.

    “It is incumbent upon us to drive positive change, foster economic growth, and ensure our people’s prosperity. Recent policy directions by the government have placed untold hardship on Nigerians. Chief among them is the flotation cum devaluation of the naira, which saw our currency slide from N450 officially in May 2023 to the current exchange rate of about N1600.

    “This is the reason why the landing price of PMS today is over N1,000  (reintroduction of subsidy), the reason why AGO is selling for over N1,300 and the reason why all imported commodities are over the roof today. The overarching impact of these on Nigerians can only be imagined rather than experienced,’’ he said.

    According to Osifo, the floating of the naira in the official market had exacerbated the challenges faced by their members.

    He, therefore, called on industry players to explore innovative solutions to forestall financial losses to workers and prevent undue gains to companies and ensure a fair and equitable environment for all.

    Osifo said PENGASSAN would push for just and equitable distribution across its branches.

    The labour leader appreciated President Bola Tinubu for signing the Executive Order that granted incentives to investments in the oil and gas industry.

    He said the move translated to the recent $550 million Final Investment Decision announced by NNPC Limited and TotalEnergies on the Ubeta project.

    Osifo said PENGASSAN equally recognised the efforts of NNPC Limited management in furthering partnership initiatives in the upstream and downstream sector of the Industry.

    “The recent MOU signed by NNPC Limited with Total Energies and separately with Shell are indications of fostering good relationships with critical partners.

    “The expansion of CNG and LPG infrastructures by NNPC Limited across the nook and crannies of the country is a right step in the right direction and this must be encouraged and deepened,’’ he said

    He assured that the summit would forge a path toward a brighter and more sustainable energy future for the industry and the nation.

    Also, the Minister of State for Oil, Heineken Lokpobiri, noted that one of the major issues the country is facing was energy security and sufficiency.

    The Minister said Nigeria plays a critical role in energy security in Africa, adding that the surest way to resolving Nigeria’s socio-economic problem would be by ensuring energy security in oil and gas.

    He gave reasons smuggling of the petroleum products would not go away so soon. He said: “The integration of renewable energy sources alongside our traditional oil and gas resources is essential in achieving this balance. Energy security is at the core of national security.

    “In an era where global energy dynamics are rapidly changing, Nigeria must strategically position itself to not only meet its domestic energy needs but also to remain a key player in the international arena.

    “This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders—government, industry, and labour—to develop policies and practices that safeguard our energy infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted supply.”

    Speaking on the support for local refineries, the Minister said: “The Federal Government is committed to supporting local refineries in its bid to enhance domestic refining capacity, reduce dependency on imported refined products, and stimulate economic growth.

    “The Federal Government remains determined to ensure that local refineries thrive by creating and promoting a conducive environment for potential investors, as we believe that having operational refineries within the country is crucial for our economic growth and energy security.”

  • PENGASSAN Women Commission recommits to gender equality

    PENGASSAN Women Commission recommits to gender equality

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Women Commission (PWC) has reaffirmed its commitment to championing gender equality and inclusivity in the petroleum and natural gas industry.

    At the inaugural PENGASSAN Women Annual Convention (PWAC) held in Abuja, under the theme “Empowerment, inclusivity, and excellence,” the Commission pledged to intensify efforts in advancing women’s rights and opportunities.

    National Chairperson of the Commission, Comrade Ada Mbanaso, stressed the pivotal role of women in driving sustainable development and innovation within PENGASSAN.

    “Our commitment to gender equality is not merely a promise but a call to action. The PENGASSAN Women Commission stands at the forefront of advocating for equal opportunities, fair representation, and empowering women to thrive in traditionally male-dominated sectors,” she said.

    Mbanaso, said the Commission’s efforts had been bolstered by initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s leadership roles and professional development.

    She said: “Through strategic partnerships and innovative programmes like the “Developing Highly Effective Women Leaders in Trade Unionism” training at the Lagos Business School, PENGASSAN women have been equipped with essential skills and knowledge to excel in leadership positions.”

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    She further stated that in addition to leadership empowerment, the PENGASSAN Women Commission has been actively involved in community-driven initiatives that promote social responsibility and welfare.

    “Projects such as educational support, empowerment programmes for vulnerable groups, and advocacy campaigns for gender-sensitive policies have positively impacted communities nationwide,” she said.

    The women leader explained that the convention served as a platform for exchanging ideas, fostering collaborations, and strategising future initiatives to further advance the agenda of gender equality within union and beyond.

  • Fed Govt committed to oil and gas development, says PENGASSAN

    Fed Govt committed to oil and gas development, says PENGASSAN

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment from the Federal Government towards promoting the oil and gas industry.

    The union said this could be seen through the various policies put in place by the government. However, it called on the government to further exhibit commitment in the war against poverty, oil theft,insecurity  and other forms of criminal activities.

    Speaking with The Nation, the General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, said policies such as Naira floating, removal of fuel subsidy are not bad provided the government tackled the challenges associated with them.

    He said some of the policies mark a significant step towards unlocking investments in the sector.

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    He said: “Some of these policies introduced by the government are very key to economic development. However, there are some things the government needs to put in place to address the immediate challenges

    “For instance, the removal of fuel subsidy is already making smuggling unattractive. A situation where the nation consumes 40 million barrels of oil per day, and the government announced 70 million barrels per day. What it means is that the outstanding figure, which is 30 million barrels, is smuggled outside the country. It’s a big business for the cabals.

    “The government needs to seriously tackle the issue of oil theft. This is one of the major challenges in the oil and gas sector. For instance, we are still producing far below OPEC quota and this is as a result of the oil theft. The government needs to tackle the cabals behind this. There must be a political will to tackle this.

    “As you can see, many of the oil companies are running away because of insecurity. Nobody wants to invest in a place where their investment and life are not secure.

    On the Port Harcourt refinery that is expected to start production soon, Okugbawa said this may not affect the fuel price as people believed.

    He said what affects the prices of petroleum is the exchange rate and international oil price.

    “The production of the Port Harcourt Refinery will not really affect the price of petroleum. The exchange rate and international oil price are the determinants of fuel prices. However, it will have a positive impact on the shipping cost, landing cost, and demurrage because we are producing locally. It’s a good development, especially when the four refineries are working.

    Okugbawa also said implementing local content standards without compromising investments or cost competitiveness underscores the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable development and empowering local stakeholders.

    The directives, he said, could pave the way for inclusive growth, knowledge transfer, and skill development within the Nigerian workforce by balancing local content obligations and investment incentives.

    He added: “We commend the Federal Government for its commitment to driving positive change and fostering a conducive environment for investment in the oil and gas sector, These progressive policy directives mark a significant leap forward in our collective journey towards a sustainable energy future and bolstering security across Nigeria.”

    On the union’s relationship with International Oil Companies (IOCs) and divestment going on, he said the welfare of its members are most paramount to the union.

    “The union will not compromise the well-being of its members across the nation,” he said.

    He reiterated PENGASSAN’s  commitment to partnering the Federal Government to actualise the nation’s strategic energy objectives and focusing on leveraging gas as a crucial catalyst of economic prosperity and national development.