Oscarline Onwuemenyi
17 October 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, has commended the Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, for their role in ensuring harmony in the nation’s oil and gas industry.
Baru, who gave the commendation during a two-day triennial Retreat/Synergy workshop organised by PENGASSAN in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, said the harmony provided by the unions has helped stabilise petroleum products supply across the country.
“I would like to appreciate the support given to us by the two unions, PENGASSAN and NUPENG. You have over the years exhibited high level of maturity and partnership.
“This is evident in your pragmatic approach to issues, your support during difficult times as well as strategic engagement with industry stakeholders which has not only guaranteed industrial peace and harmony, but has also ensured the stable supply of petroleum products across the country,” Baru said.
He assured that NNPC management would continue to accord priority to staff welfare and ensure that staff were trained to face the current realities of the industry.
The GMD, who congratulated PENGASSAN for a successful delegates’ conference, also urged them to chart a new course for the union and the oil and gas industry that is hinged on greater collaboration for improved productivity and innovative ideas towards growth and development.
Baru also called on industry players to brace up for change in the sector, stressing that the current state of the international energy market, the urgent need to rehabilitate the nation’s refineries as well as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill currently being considered by the National Assembly, were dire challenges, necessitating that the industry charts a new course
He emphasised that navigating these challenges successfully required strong, purposeful and focused leadership from stakeholders in an industry where changing regulatory and macroeconomic realities are imminent.
