16 May 2014, Lagos – Following a meeting with officials of the Federal Government, leaders of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PEN-GASSAN, has suspended the planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin yesterday over oil theft, vandalism, state of the nation’s refineries, among others.
The meeting, summoned by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, was attended by Permanent Secretaries, ministries of Petroleum Resources and Labour, Mr. Danladi Kifasi and Dr. Clement Illoh, respectively; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, among others, in Abuja, on Monday.
PENGASSAN had, on April 9 and 22, petitioned the Minister of Labour, detailing some issues of concerns to members and demanded that they be addressed before May 15, or it would declare a nationwide strike.
The letters centred on execution of the refineries maintenance, joint venture, counterpart funding, among others.
– Victor Ahiuma-young, Vanguard
