OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike over the ongoing crisis between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Kaduna State Government.
In a joint statement signed by its National President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale on Tuesday, said it had told its members to be prepared over the attack on NLC peaceful protest in Kaduna State.
According to the statement, any harm inflicted on any member of the organised labour, would attract a total shut down of all services in the upstream, mid-stream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.
It said, “In the light of the above, we are therefore putting all NUPENG members nationwide on red alert and may at very short notice of five hours call for a nationwide industrial action if situation arises.
“Our solidarity remains constant for the union makes us strong.”
The union said its national leadership was deeply saddened with the violent turn of NLC peaceful protests by the ‘dictatorial and despotic regime of Governor Nasir el-Rufai in Kaduna State’.
It added, “The leadership of the union is therefore calling on the Federal Government to immediately call on Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, to order before his arrogance and power drunk ego further push the situation into horrendous calamity as he has been doing in all issues relating to human lives and wellbeing.
“Consequently, the union reiterates that no labour leader or worker as the case may be, be harmed, harassed, maimed, humiliated or victimised during this five-day peaceful protests in the state.”
The union said it was raising the alarm following the very reliable report of the clandestine move of el-Rufai to hurt and put the lives of NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, and other labour leaders in danger “in his usual blind egotistical style of running government in the state.”
The NLC is currently protesting against the mass sacking of workers by the Kaduna State Government, a move that was vehemently opposed by the state governor.
