PENGASSAN cautions politicians against divisive actions

As the 2019 elections draw closer, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has urged the political class to stay away from political actions that could endanger the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.  

The President of PENGASSAN, Francis Olabode Johnson gave this advice during the 5th Triennial Delegates’ Conference of Total E&P Branch of PENGASSAN, in Abuja. 

While labour movement is apolitical, Johnson insisted that labour movement nevertheless plays important roles in national development particularly at this period the country is facing various developmental challenges.

He said: “Our economy, which recovered recently from one of the worst recessions in our history, is still struggling to maintain stability in its growth.

“The politics of 2019 National Elections have since begun and gathering momentum, even as the insecurity situation in parts of the country is posing new challenges to the citizens and the Government.

“Besides, the poverty in the land does not seem to abate, despite government’s continued efforts to restore normalcy and give the citizens a new sense of hope. We urged politicians to avoid divisive politics and embrace politics that will be of immense contributions to the Economic growth of this Nation.”

He called on the government and its agencies, including the Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and NAPIMS to stop International Oil Companies (IOCs) from offshoring of jobs to other countries, adding that this is taking a very negative dimension in the government efforts of job creation. 

“This is one of the ways to reduce the growing unemployment that is rampant in the country. We are also using this forum to inform government agencies of the clandestine move by the Petrobras management to sell off the company assets without resolution of Labour related issues. We will vehemently resist this sale until all labour related issues are concluded,” he stated.