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NUPENG WARNS NNPC ON JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIP ON REFINERIES, DEPOTS AND JETTIES The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) warns the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of the dangers on the advertisement placed in some national dailies of engagement of investors as joint technical partners for the rehabilitation and operations of NNPC refineries. The Union is also worried at similar adverts placed by the NNPC inviting pre- qualification for rehabilitation, upgrade, operatorship, management, maintenance and security of NNPC Jetties, storage depots and pipeline infrastructure on joint venture partnership basis. NUPENG believes that the current move by the NNPC is a form of privatization through the backdoor of our national assets which is doomed to fail and bring about more hardship to the citizens, just the way the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) privatization failed to bring the desired results but darkness all over the country. It states that for security reasons and in the interest of protecting the jobs of oil and gas workers that the present joint partnership bid will be resisted by NUPENG. The Union adds that no investor will want to put its money in the joint venture Partnership arrangement without having a say in the running of the refineries, storage depots and jetties. The Union warns that it will resist the move as the fate of the oil and gas workers cannot be guaranteed. More so that the Unions in the Oil and Gas sector were not consulted. NUPENG states that the panacea of these challenges is not in joint partnership basis that will alter the ownership and operatorship structure but the need have the political will to make the refineries, pipelines, storage depots work optimally. The Union reiterates that the potential bidders will turn out to be front men who have all along been interested in buying these national assets. The Union believes that the plan to sell these national assets through this method goes to show a total failure on the part of the NNPC management and portends grave danger to the oil and gas industry.

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It is also negates the federal government plans to set-up a special task force to tackle pipeline vandalisation and encourage investors to build refineries within the old refineries and use their facilities. NUPENG calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Minster of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to order and rescind the decision and concentrate on re-streaming the refineries, rehabilitate the depots instead of this new plan of partial privatization through the backdoor that will result to job losses, which may lead the Union to embark on a national-wide action. Joseph Ogbebor Acting General Secretary - NUPENG

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NUPENG CANVASSES FOR TRUE FEDERALISM The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have said that the panacea to the national economic woes is to revert back to the practice of true federalism. The Union states that the solution in the non-payment of salaries of workers in the states and local governments is for us to go back to true federalism whereby they will generate their revenues and pay salaries instead of relying solely on monthly federal allocation. NUPENG believes that the States and local governments should be allowed to control their resources with a clear definition of federal government projects. It reiterates that the current structure of states and local governments depending on federal allocation for their survival negates the principles of true federalism The Union posits that the only solution to the current economic challenges is for the states and local government to have independence on the revenues generated and accruing in their domain in order for them to pay salaries and execute projects , while there will be an interface with the Federal government on their projects. The Union stresses that for the nascent democracy to have a meaning and end the sufferings of the masses that we have to entrench true federalism into our system. The Union states that the internally generated revenue of states is often not accounted for or judiciously used and it would not be the case when true federalism is in operations. It also adds that true federalismwill eliminate wastages, in the IGR system, as the laissez faire attitude willnot be there, as all efforts will be geared towards revenue generation to pay salaries, debts and finance projects. Com. IgweAchese NUPENG President

NUPENG READY TO PARTNER WITH NNPC TO END FUEL SCARCITY The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have said that it is ready to partner with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to end the perennial fuel scarcity in the country now. The Union states that it has the capacity, men and will to do that and therefore calls for collaboration with the NNPC to end the scourge. NUPENG makes bold to say that 60 percent of its members are involved in the distribution chain. The Union adds that most of the IPMAN and NARTO members are either NUPENG members or were former members and with collaborationwith them, they will be able to get the issue right and end the present scarcity of petroleum products. On privatization, the Union warns that the Federal government should be careful not to make the same mistakes made by the past administration in the country as it happened in the power sector. The Union cautions that the government should not allow the failure of the privatization process in the power sector to rub on the Oil & Gas sector. NUPENG stresses that all the past privatization processes done by the Bureau for Public Corporation (BPE) was fraught with inadequacies and that government should review the exercises and where necessary revoke their licenses. NUPENG adds that till date all privatization exercises done lacked transparency The Union calls on the Federal government to make the refineries work optimally to reduce the dependence on foreign importation of petroleum products. On the issue of subsidy, the Union states that the government should pay subsidy to the government to reduce and eliminate corrupt practices. The Union also wants the Federal government to review the privatization of PHCN which has become counter-productive and has led to serious job losses. On the issue of transparency, NUPENG supports the government’s fight against corruption and enacting transparency in government business especially as it affects the Oil & Gas industry. The Federal government should also assist the marketers through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to procure Foreign Exchange (FOREX) to import petroleum products in order to cushion the biting effects of fuel scarcity.

It also enjoins the Federal government to honor and pay all joint venture agreement to end the current lull in the upstream Oil & Gas business. Com (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

 

 

NUPENG CAUTIONS WABBA NOT TO DABBLE INTO OIL AND GAS ISSUES The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers have cautioned the factional President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade AyubaWabba, not to dabble into issues affecting oil and gas sector. The Union berated Comrade AyubaWabba for overstepping his bounds by threatening to ask workers to stay at home should the scarcity of fuel persist. NUPENG adds that the factional President of the NLC is not abreast with happenings in the oil and gas sector, as the issues are not related to medical and health workers. The Union warns that Comrade AyubaWabba has no business in making statements on an industry, he knows nothing about. NUPENG reiterates that Comrade Ayuba outburst that he will ask workers to stay at home is one of his antics for cheap popularity and propaganda. The Union advises him to focus on the challenges bedeviling the health sector, where they went on several strikes that had no effect for many months. NUPENG stresses that Comrade Ayuba should face reality and stop chasing the shadows by making empty promises on what he has no control over. The Union believes that the challenges facing the oil and gas sector can only be solved holistically by convening of a major stakeholders meeting with industry players to x-ray the issues and proffer lasting solutions that will stand the test of time. We however, strongly believe that the National Assembly will live up to her oversight function vis-à-vis the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the TAM of the Refineries and the security of our pipelines. Comrade (Dr.) IgweAchese President

NUPENG WARNS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DESIST FROM UNBUNDLING THE NNPC The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) express its disappointment and displeasure over the turn of events at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the unbundling into 30 companies without following due process by the Federal government. The Union believes that this is an attempt to provoke the Oil and Gas workers and cause industrial unrest in the country. NUPENG states that the restructuring in the Oil and Gas industry, especially the NNPC to achieve optimal performance cannot be gotten without due consultations with the Unions and stakeholders in the sector, or on a table of academic exercise. The Union therefore condemns at the unilateral action of the Minister of State, Dr.Ibe Kachikwu, as the decision is not in consonance with the laws establishing the NNPC. It stresses that the unbundling and rebranding of NNPC as announced by the Minister of State is another public policy change which is not consistent with the Act and Laws establishing NNPC and that it will be resisted by Oil and Gas workers in the country. The Union adds that the legality appropriateness and timelessness of this whole exercise is condemnable. It states that it will not tolerate a situation whereby the planned unbundled companies will now hide under the cover to start disengaging its workers. The Union states that job creation and job security has been the change mantra of the current administration. The Union reiterates that the move is to kill the NNPC by all means but that they should know that the Corporation is a creation of law and that it will take the repealing of the original Act to effect the changes that they are planning to do.

The Union states that those who want to destroy the oil and gas industry, want to destroy the country and call on President Buhari to call them to order. The Union warns that it will not fold its hands and watch NNPC being fragmented into pieces with no clear objectives on how the present manpower will be managed, and to make NNPC perform better as an Oil and Gas company. NUPENG frowns at a situation whereby the new companies will have 30 Managing Directors which will tend to be too wieldy and unmanageable. NUPENG states that it will not condone a situation like the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) into fragmented companies which led to serious job losses that the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) is still battling with till today. The Union warns that to forestall a major industrial crisis in the Oil and Gas industry that the Federal government should desist from going ahead with this policy change in NNPC to avoid the wrath of the workers in the sector. As earlier advised, the Minister of Petroleum and the Commander-in-Chief of our great country should call all critical stakeholders, National Assembly, Stakeholder Unions, NUPENG and PENGASSAN, industry players to carry out a surgical operation in NNPC.   Comrade Joseph Ogbebor Acting General Secretary

NUPENG WARNS NNPC TO DESIST FROM UNBUNDLING THE CORPORATION The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have warned that it will resist the current move of the NNPC to unbundle the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into 30 companies. The Union believes that this is an attempt by the management of NNPC to cause industrial unrest in the country. It states that it will not tolerate a situation whereby the unbundled companies will now hide under that cover to start disengaging its members. The Union reiterates that the move is to kill the NNPC by all means but that they should know that the corporation is a product of law and that it will take the repealing of the original Act to affect the changes that they are planning to do. The Union warns that it will not fold its hands and watch NNPC being fragmented into pieces with no clear objectives on how the manpower will be managed. The Union frowns at a situation whereby the new companies will have 30 Managing Directors, which will tends to be too wieldy and unmanageable NUPENG states that it will not condone a situation like the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) into fragmented companies that led to serious job losses, which the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) is still battling with till today. NUPENG advises the Management of the NNPC to put on hold the planned unbundling and convene a stakeholders meeting in the sector, with NUPENG and PENGASSAN to chart a new way forward to repositioning the NNPC. Comrade (Dr.) IgweAchese President

NUPENG JOINS NUEE IN RECALL OF 400 SACKED IKEDC WORKERS The Nigeria Union ofPetroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have joined the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) in solidarity for the immediate recall of 400 workers sacked by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) without due process. NUPENG joins NUEE in the 7- day ultimatum given to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company to recall the sacked workers, failure which, the Union will shut down the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) that is saddled with supply of gas to thermal stations and plants all over the country. The Union said that it has put its members on notice in the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) to commence a shutdownof supplies of gas to the thermal stations and plants if the 400 workers are not called back to work when the 7-day Ultimatum expires. It states that 400 workers of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company were sacked without due process to relevant labour laws in the country. The Union also called on the Federal government to quickly address the issue of non-payment of salaries to National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) members in the last 16 months across the country. NUPENG also joins in solidarity to call on the federal government to intervene in the payment of severance benefits to 5,000 members of the Union laid off during the last privatisation exercise. The Union adds that the relevant authorities like the Federal Ministry of Power, National Electricity Regulatory Agency (NERC) should call the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company to order so that the nation will not be plunged into darkness in the next one week, albeit with the masses currently suffering from acute fuel scarcity. Comrade (Dr.)IgweAchese President

SACKED IMO 3,000: TIME FOR RESTORATION HAS COME PRESS STATEMENTS BY THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) recently had to address the Nigerian media on the unholy and irresponsible actions taken by the Government of Imo state against its own citizens which it not only had constitutional responsibility to protect but also swore to an oath to protect but chose to rather desecrate that oath and perjure itself by cowardly sacking thousands in her employ against all known labour standards and justice. One of the highlights of that Media briefing was the 14-day ultimatum which we gave to that Government within which we had expected it to have rescinded that amoral action, recalled the workers, apologised to the citizens of the state especially her workers and desisted from further abuse and intimidation of workers in the state and their leaders. Nothing has however thus far changed unfortunately. The ultimatum which expires on the 12th of this month and by which time we hope that discernible steps would have been taken by the Government of Rochas Okorocha to redress the damage and correct its actions as was expected of any responsible Government driven by Governance effectiveness at heart mindful of the source of sovereign power; Congress having been seeing the unrepentant posture and the recalcitrant mien of the Government actors in the state; and, having unfortunately been observing the stubborn and wicked pronouncements and the body language of the Governor, has become painfully compelled to warn the Government that it will embark on industrial action that would cripple the Government in Imo state but will help it understand and appreciate the fine principles of respect for the moral and legal rights of her workers and citizens without further notice. To this end it is important to inform the Governor that the movement is united on this if he is planning on hiding under current events in the Congress. His disappointment should also increase if he knows that the Congress has set up a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to oversee our engagement with his Government. We hope that this will send a clear message of our determination and avowal to get him to align with the sovereign will of the people and workers in Imo state. We know the capacity for chicanery and violence which the Governor possesses perhaps that is what has emboldened the unlawful actions he is bent on foisting on the workers in the state but we assure him that we are fully prepared. We have seen all manners of wicked and narcissistic behaviour directed against Nigerian workers in the past and fortunately, we have withered all of them and are still standing unbent. We assure the Government that after this struggle, we shall remain standing as this has always been the historical truth. The Police is also advised not to collude with the Governor to continue suppressing the people because it will only add to the battered image of the force and will not stop the people from overwhelmingly expressing their desire for equity, justice and fairness. We call on our allies in the Civil Society movement, market women and men, businessmen, elders and community leaders including students to join forces with us as we prepare to restore sanity to Governance in Imo state. We advise residents of Imo state especially those in Owerri to stockpile food and other necessities as we will go the entire hog to ensure that Rochas is made to subject himself to the sovereign will of the people. We also warn those who use the roads that may lead in or out of Owerri to seek other routes as traffic in these areas will be seriously affected. It is imperative that we use this same opportunity to once again dissociate ourselves from the proposed Monday 8thaction against the increase in Electricity tariff by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Federal Ministry of Power. We believe that we have not held dialogue sufficiently with the right parties in the matter but are bent on taking action against parties that do not have power to change the course of action that has been taken to increase electricity tariff.

We are deeply committed to effective and strategic dialogue in resolving the increase in electricity tariff but not the picketing which we believe has not allowed the full exploration of all the peaceful options available to us as a movement. We are mindful of embarking on actions that would be detrimental to the ethos and traditions of the Congress thus undermines our moral authority as a mass based organisation built on the mobilisation of strategic social morality. We cannot compromise this at this time. Congress believes that it is counter-productive picketing the DISCOs over the Tariff increase which they were clearly not responsible for effecting but which they are also a beneficiary. We believe that just as we engaged the federal Government when it recklessly increased the price of petroleum products in 2012 and not the Oil Companies, it will be ill-advised to at this time picket the DISCOs rather than the federal Government that is directly responsible for taking that decision. We therefore call for clear-headed thoughts and targeted action amongst all stakeholders in this effort to stop the Government from implementing this new increase in electricity tariff. An understanding of the issues involved is key to successfully extricating Nigerians from this economic strangulation if we are serious. It is important that we ask ourselves why it seems that some people are afraid of confronting the federal Government even when it is clear that the Government is responsible for this evil against Nigerian workers and masses. We have not seen where pussy-footing and shadow-chasing has yielded any tangible results except if some people want to take Nigerians on a grand merry-go-round– a journey to nowhere. We will not be part of a clear plot to deceive Nigerians which this action may portend because it clearly will not yield discernible results. The purpose of picketing is to force the picketed organisation to negotiate and yield grounds to you. In this case, the purpose of the planned action on Monday is to force the DISCOs to negotiate and reverse the tariff increase. Yes, we can force them to dialogue but can we force them to reverse the decision? NO. Simply because they cannot give you what they do not have power to do. That power resides elsewhere- NERC. We can force NERC and the Government to reverse the wicked decision. We ask again; why are we wasting time pursuing shadow instead of engaging the Federal Government that is the culprit in this impishness? The proponents of Monday’s action should answer us but on our own side, we have committed to opening up further dialogue with the right party – the federal Government on this to ensure that this matter is resolved. If not reversed, we assure Nigerians that the same passion that shall be unleashed on Rochas in restoring the dignity of workers in Imo state shall also be unleashed on the Federal Government to force them to reverse this senseless and anti-people policy.

That is our commitment and that is our pledge! Comrade AcheseIgwe For the President of NLC

(Deputy President)

COM. (DR.) IGWE ACHESE ELECTED AS CHAIRPERSON OF NIGERIA CHAPTER OF INDUSTRIALL GLOBAL UNION The National President of NUPENG, Comrade (Dr.) IgweAchese has been elected as the Chairperson of Nigeria National Council of the Industri-all Global Union. The election which was held in PENGASSAN Secretariat, on January 26, 2016, had affiliates from NUPENG, Textiles Union, SEWUN, CAMNPSSA, NUFLAMPE, PENGASAN and NUEE in attendance. The election was witnessed by the Regional Secretary of Industri-all Global Union in South Africa, Comrade Fabian Nkomo. The tenureis for four years. In his acceptance Speech, Comrade IgweAchese promised to take the Nigerian Chapter to the next level.

NUPENG CAUTIONS ON SACK IN CHEVRON & SHELL The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is worried and concerned about the purported sack threat of about 18,500 workers, though, globally in Chevron and Shell. The union states that it is a sack too many, as oil workers in Chevron Nigeria and Shell will be affected. The union describes the sack threat as alarming which is adduced to the dwindling oil prices in the international market. NUPENG calls on the federal government to halt the threat of loss of jobs in Nigeriaby these multinational companies and wonders why Chevron and Shell should engage in the impending sack, when they have fully divested from on – shore oil fields. The Union adds that it will be morally unjustified for Chevron and Shell toretrench oil workers in Nigeria as they are carting away profits made from deep oil shores and joint venture gas projects. The union therefore condemns in its entirety the impending sack as it will not work with the current efforts of the Buhari administration to generate employment instead of job loses. NUPENG adds that it will amount to derailing the efforts of the government to provide jobs for Nigerians.It states that the oil giants should cut cost by employing Nigerians in positions where expatriates hold sway and are paid ten times what our people are getting. The union warns that it may be forced to embark on industrial action if the Federal government, through the regulatory agency, NNPC fails to stop Chevron and Shell from sending oil workers in Nigeria to the unemployment market. Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese National President

NUPENG WARNS ON SACK IN NNPC The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have warned the management of the NNPC to tread with caution and jettison its plans on the impending sack of 1,100 workers of the corporation. The Union expressed its surprise and embarrassment for the Minister of state, Petroleum Resources Dr. IbeKachikwu to make such a statement without consultation or recourse to the two Unions in the Oil and Gas sector, NUPENG and PENGASSAN. The Union warns that it will resist such a move, as the cardinal policy of the Buhari Government is job creation and not job losses. NUPENG states that the Union cannot watch and see its members who have served for years to be thrown into the unemployment market because of inconsistent policies of the government. The Union reiterates that NNPC workers are the best because they have continued to keep the oil and gas sector of moving even when they have to work with obsolete equipment and indecent work environment. The Union argues that the workforce should not be used as guinea pigs but commended. NUPENG adds that the unbundling of the firm into four companies and intended restructuring should not have anything to do with sack of 1,100 workers which is one sack, too many. The Union advises the Federal Government to convene a major stakeholders meeting to x-ray the challenges facing the sector and proffer solutions, rather than chasing the shadows.

Towards this, it should ensure that the stakeholders meeting look at the Petroleum Industry Bill together before it is represented. The Union adds that the current policy of the NNPC to engage casual workers is against the extant labour laws of the country and should be condemned and a stop put to it. The Union believes that the impending retrenchment will be counter – productive and should not be allowed as its will resist it and call out its members to protest the action if the two oil Unions in the sector are not consulted. Comrade (Dr.) IgweAchese NUPENG President

NUPENG URGES FEC TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is urging the Federal Executive Council (FEC) consisting of Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari and the Ministers recently sworn in to quickly hit the ground running in order to put the nation’s economyback on track. The Union believes that a lot of time has been wasted to constitute the cabinet which is supposed to implement the programmes of the government. NUPENG appeals to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to meet regularly to proffer solutions to the needs of the teeming Nigerians they promised to end their sufferings. The Union states that expectations are high and they should therefore put up concrete policies to hit the ground running by arresting the incessant fuel shortages presently experienced all over the country. NUPENG stresses that since Mr. President is personally in charge of the Petroleum Ministry, he and his team must put up short and long term measures to end the sufferings of the masses to get petroleum products without wasting man – hours at the filling stations. The Union calls on the Federal Government to quickly address the nagging issue of casualization and outsourcing of workers to labour contractors, which is modern-day slavery. The Union adds that as the over-seer of the Petroleum Ministry, that Mr. President must address the issues of non-payment of cash-calls on Joint Ventures and also represent the Petroleum Industry Bill after a stakeholders meeting to iron out the grey areas.

The Union stresses that the new Federal Executive Council must address the divestment in the Oil and Gas industry and tackle head long the Turn-Around- Maintenance of the nation’s four refineries in Port Harcourt 1, 2 Kaduna and Warri. NUPENG states that, it will not hesitate to resist any further retrenchment and down-sizing in the oil and gas sector and therefore call for the right enabling environment that will create a level-playing field for investors to operate. The Union wants the problems of power and bad roads to be addressed with diversification to put the economy back on the right footing, as Nigerians resilience and patience should not be taken for granted, as they are tired of lamentations but need action. Comrade (Dr.) IgweAchese National President