Delta State News: Oil Workers Resume 3-Day Strike

Oct 10, 2011 – As a result of insecurity in the Niger-Delta region, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have today started a three day strike.

In a petition to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state at the weekend, the Warri Zonal Chairmen of PENGASSAN and NUPENG, Elvis Irefo and Edmond Ofuge respectively, said they would withdraw their services from the oil and gas industry should the onslaught on their members persist after the warning strike.

“It is particularly worrisome that our recurring calls on the government at various levels and agencies to discuss and resolve the myriad of killings and kidnappings facing the state had proved abortive.

“We are becoming increasingly disturbed over these dastardly acts which we consider as condemnable and unnecessary on innocent oil and gas workers. We condemn the spate of hostage taking in its entirety. We enjoin other well-meaning Nigerians to condemn in very strong and unequivocal terms, the increasing spate of violence in Niger Delta region,” the petition stated.

The Unions called on workers to abstain from their work place in order to press home their demands for improved security.

“We direct that all our members in all locations and workplaces in the oil and gas region of Warri zone to withdraw their services and embark on a three-day warning strike from Monday 10th to Wednesday 12th October, 2011.”

The Unions appealed to oil and gas companies that the strike is not targeted at them but to address security issues, which is a major challenge to the region at the moment. Daily Times