13 February 2014, Lagos — The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has warned of an impending strike two months after calling off such action.
The unions said it will embark on unannounced indefinite industrial action over alleged unfair labour practices and other “nefarious” activities by major oil marketers and multi- national oil companies in the country.
Such disreputableactivities, the union claimed, amounted to economic sabotage.
NUPENG President, Achese Igwe, warned that if issues of alleged unfair labour practices by the multinationals were not addressed by President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly, the union will resort to an indefinite strike action.
“NUPENG has watched with great concern the activities of oil majors and multi- nationals in the industry and warns of imminent fuel scarcity if their nefarious activities are not checked by embarking on nation-wide strike without notice,” Igwe stated.
“The new drive of the oil majors and multi- nationals amounts to sabotage and if not controlled will lead to an unhealthy atmosphere in the sector. We call on President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Labour and the National Assembly to quickly intervene before the bubble bursts.”
The union president also threatened to stop fuel distribution and shut down the nation’s oil sector to press home its demands.
With an annual production of more than 800 million barrels per day, Nigeria is the continent’s biggest oil producer.
– CajnewsAfrica
