Oscarline Onwuemenyi
07 September 2016, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has condemned in its entirety the recent kidnapping of 14 oil workers returning from Egbema-Ohaji field to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by yet to be identified kidnappers.
The Union expressed rude shock at the act on the 14 oil workers of Nestoil, calling on security agencies to spread their dragnet to rescue them unhurt.
A statement from NUPENG pointed out that the kidnap was one too many, as all hands must be on deck to protect the lives of oil workers, especially those working in installations.
“We are therefore worried about the attack, which has made oil workers an endangered species,” Comrade Igwe Achese, NUPENG President said, calling on the Federal Government to quickly ensure that oil workers returning from fields are giving adequate security.
The Union warned that the recent kidnapping of such numbers of workers will further scare foreign investors that would want to bring in the needed foreign capital and expertise to expand on projects in the oil and gas sector, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to comb the creeks and make sure the kidnapped oil workers are brought back alive to rejoin their families with no ransome paid and the culprits punished.
NUPENG also advised those involved in the dastardly acts to retrace their steps and find something meaningful to do, while it enjoined the Federal Government to tackle the economic downturn with vigour so that the current level of unemployment will be drastically reduced.
The Union reiterated that the Federal Government owes it a duty to the citizenry to make things work, reflate the economy, repair dilapidated infrastructure and assist small scale business enterprises to thrive in order to get the restive youths engaged.
