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NUPENG CONDEMNS PLAN TO CUT CONTRACTING CYCLE TO 6 MONTHS The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) has condemned the plan by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to cut contracting cycle in the Nigeria oil and gas industry from its current stretch of between two to four years to six months. The Union states the plan is untenable, unnecessary, anti-labour, wicked and will amount to modern day slavery for Oil and Gas Workers NUPENG states that the cut of contracting cycle to 6 months negates the principle behind the local content policy and the change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari on job creation and not short-lived contract employment. The Union states that NNPC position that contract cycle of two to four years was a major contributor to the high cost per barrel of Nigerian crude oil compared to other OPEC member countries amounted to self-service and sounds very unpatriotic. The Union states that the oil and gas workers in other OPEC countries are given permanent work status with good condition of service as compared to the modern day slavery practiced in Nigeria and encouraged by NNPC that is supposed to be the regulator of operations in the Sector. The Union re-iterates that the plan to cut contracting cycle to six months is a stab on the face of oil and gas workers who produce the black gold to be tossed around every half of the year on their contract status. The Union has been vehement that the two to four years cycle was too short, only for the Minister of State Petroleum Resources to now plan to cut it to six months which will boomerang and lead to major industrial relations crisis in the industry. NUPENG calls on the federal government to rescind the decision in order to have a conducive atmosphere for oil and gas workers to work in. NUPENG warns that the six months contract cycle will be counterproductive, uneventful, and make a mess of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act and cause unemployment challenges in the sector. The Union warns that it will resist the plan cut with all the powers at its disposal as it will lead to depletion of its members who are already emasculated by the current global oil glut and inconsistent policies been paraded by the regulator of the Oil and Gas sector. IGWE ACHESE JOSEPH OGBEBOR President Acting General Secretary

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 prequalification 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. 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

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 BERATES NASS ON NON-INVITATION TO BUSINESS ROUND TABLE The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has berated the National Assembly for failing to invite the two Unions in the Oil & Gas industry, NUPENG & PENGASSAN to the National Assembly Business Environment roundtableheld recently. The Union said it was taken aback by the pronouncement of the Senate President, Dr. BukolaSaraki at the roundtable that thePetroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be laid before each chamber of the National Assembly next week. NUPENG faults the presentation of the harmonisedversion of the PIB, when it has continued to call for a stakeholders meeting where the grey areas should be ironed out. The Union expresses its disappointment at the NASS leadership for not deeming it fit to invite NUPENG & PENGASSAN to the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable, when the bodies are major stakeholders in the Oil and Gas industry. The Union States that it was better to hear the bitter truth on the happenings in the Oil and Gas industry from the workers Union who produce the hydrocarbon, rather than the rhetorics and semantics witnessed at the roundtable. NUPENG believes that the non-invitation of the Unions to the roundtable was a slight and must be condemned. The Union calls on the National Assembly to always carry everybody along, especially the Unions in the Oil & Gas industry, when organising such programmes. Comrade (Dr.) IgweAchese 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 elsewhereNERC. 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 (Deputy President) For the President of NLC

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 PRESIDENT BAGS HON. DOCTOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE The National President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Comrade Igwe Achese has been conferred with the Doctor of Science, Honararis Causa, (Hon. D. Sc.) in Human Resources Management and leadership by the European-American University, Commonwealth of Dominica. The Honorary Doctorate Degree was bestowed upon him recently by the University Council for his outstanding contributions and performance as an industrial relations practitioner, a motivator, a human resource expert who believes in capacity building and infrastructural development. The ceremony was attended by captains of industry in the oil and gas sector and the National Executive Council members of NUPENG. Isaac O. Aberare General Secretary

NUPENG URGES MARKETERS TO COMPLY WITH NEW PETROL PRICE The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged petroleum oil marketers to comply with the new pump price of petrol at N87.00per litre It states that it noticed that most of the filling stations are still dispensing fuel at the old rate of N97.00 per litre or not selling fuel at all. It adds that it amounts to total dis-service for the oil marketers to continue to sell fuel at the old rate, thus exploiting the consumers. NUPENG however commends the federal government for bringing down the price of petroleum products in line with the falling prices of crude oil in the international market. It states that the federal government should put other measures in place to cushion the inflationary effects of the fall of crude oil. The union enjoins the federal government to speed up the Turn-Around-Maintenance (TAM) of the nation’s four refineries, instead of the dependence of massive importation of petroleum products that is depleting the scare foreign exchange. The union also calls on the federal government to establish more refineries and encourage private developers to do same. Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese President

NIGERIA UNION OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS WORKERS (NUPENG) TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE HELD ON THE 16 TH FEBRUARY 2015, AT NUPENG HOUSE, NO. 9, JIBOWU STREET, YABA Gentlemen of the Press, Members of the National Executive Council of NUPENG, Ladies and Gentlemen. You are welcome to NUPENG House and this Press Briefing to react to the press statement made by Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the President of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria which has been widely reported in the print and electronic media, particularly the Channel and NTA Stations on Friday, February 13, 2015. According to the reports, Comrade Ayuba Wabba alledged that the members of the Nigeria Labour Congress’ Credential Committee particularly the representatives of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) were behind the manipulation of the ballot papers that resulted in the duplication of papers for some contestants in the ballot papers booklet. This allegation to say the least is not only false and baseless, it is most uncharitable and is the figment of Comrade Ayuba imagination, wicked blackmail to score cheap political point to distract attention from his desperation to become the President of Nigeria Labour Congress at all cost. We hereby reject and vehemently deny the allegation in its entirely. NUPENG representative in the committee was not involved in the selection of the printer, award of the contract to print the ballot papers nor involved in the payment for the job. The Credential Committee was constituted to receive complaints/petition from Affiliates Unions regarding allocation of delegates to the 11th Delegates Conference of Congress. The committee met in Lagos and Abuja and addressed all the complaints brought before it. The committee also agreed on the design of the ballot papers. Nevertheless, the selection of the printer, award of the contract and payment for the job were handled by the Secretariat of Congress, while the printing and collation of the ballot papers and stapling them in a booklet form were handled by the printer and his staff. The members of the Credentials committee were not involved in any way. Be that as it may, the members of the committee were not allowed to officiate during the voting by the Chairman of the committee, Dr. Issa Faggae as he was of the opinion that they were delegates and could be partisan. The only person who could be accused of desperation in the run up to the election is Comrade Ayuba Wabba. He is the one whose tenure of office has expired for the past two and half years. He is the one who has manipulated his Union’s Constitution to elongate his stay in office to enable him contest for the Presidency of Congress before conveying his union delegates conference. He is the one who reneged on the agreement of the Unity Forum on the slating of NLC NAC positions between Public Sector and Private Sector Union after attending and funding the process, whereas, his Union General Secretary was an Exco member of the Unity Forum. As Treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress he signed the cheque for the payment of the printing of the ballot papers and as a contestant, he is the person who stands to gain from the manipulation of the ballot papers. His accusation of the committee members therefore have no basis whatsoever and should be disregarded. For the umpteenth time, we deny any involvement in the selection of the printer, award of the contract, collation of the ballot papers and payment for the job. All these facts can be verified from the Secretariat of Congress. We hope, this clarification has set the records straight and the populace are now better informed. Thank you and God bless. ISAAC O. ABERARE General Secretary

PRESS RELEASE NUPENG CONGRATULATES GENERAL BUHARI ON HIS VICTORY The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) congratulate the newly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) on his victory at the recently concluded general election. NUPENG salutes the newly elected President and believe that he will bring his past leadership experience to bear in moving the nation forward. The Union states that the election which was free and fair shows that Nigerians have spoken and hope that his election will bring about the long expected transformation in the Nation’s Oil and Gas Industry. As a former Minister of Petroleum Resources and Head of State, NUPENG expects that his second coming will put the Oil and Gas Sector on a sound footing. We commend the General for his resilience and patience and want him to settle down and address the nagging challenges bedeviling the Oil and Gas Industry. These challenges include the quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which has been in the National Assembly for four years now, if not passed by the current National Assembly, the rehabilitation of the Nation’s four refineries to make them work optimally, and building of new refineries in order to reduce the massive importation of petroleum products. The other challenges that should be addressed are the issues of outsourcing and casualisation of workers in the industry. We believe that if these issues are addressed, there will be job creation which is one of the cardinal points of the new administration. Comrade (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

PRESS RELEASE NUPENG CONSOLES WITH FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF ONITSHA AND LAGOS TANKER FIRES The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) consoles with the families of victims of Onitsha and Lagos Tanker fires which led to over 70 people dead. The Union expresses it’s sympathy to the Governors of Lagos State Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and Anambra State Mr. Willie Obiano for the tragic incident and loss of lives of its citizens as a result of the accident. The Union commends the Governors for their quick responses in the rescue missions which reduced the calamities. NUPENG mourns the loss of the innocent souls and pray that God Almighty will give the families the fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones. NUPENG also consoles with those who lost their properties, shops and cars as a result of the inferno caused by a tanker in Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos. The Union calls on the Governors of the two states, Anambra and Lagos States to assist the families of those who lost their loved ones and their properties. NUPENG states that it will continue to carry out training and re-orientation programmes for its tanker drivers on safe driving and vehicle maintenance to reduce the carnage on our roads and wants the government to rehabilitate the railways to haulage petroleum products in order to reduce the burden on the highways. Comrade (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

PRESS RELEASE NUPENG DECRIES SPATE OF KIDNAPPINGS The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is worried and concerned about the current spate of kidnappings of innocent Nigerians across the country. The union decries the spate of kidnappings and calls on the appropriate security agencies to be up and doing to stem the tide. The union listed the recent kidnappings of the Regent of Akungba, a Kogi State High Court Judge, a Kogi State serving Commissioner, a NAN Correspondent in Imo State, Ijaw Youth Council President’s junior brother, Eradiri, former President Good-luck Jonathan’s two maternal cousins, a Catholic priest in Ekiti State and a living Faith Pastor in Calabar as one, too many. NUPENG condemns in its entirety the kidnappings and calls for a more scientific and technological approach towards arresting the kidnappers. It warns that government must put up strategies to stop the incessant kidnappings, so that it should not be institutionalized. The union states that the art of kidnapping is given the nation a bad image in the comity of nations and tends to scare foreign investors that are needed at this point in time to help resuscitate our battered economy. The union wants the new Buhari administration to pursue the cancer of unemployment that has eaten deep into our social fabric. It stresses that if able-bodied men are gainfully employed and kept busy, kidnappings will stop. The union states that a way is through re-indusrialisation, through reviving moribund industries and establishing new ones to absorb the army of unemployed. It adds that the power sector must be made to work 24/7 for these industries to come back on stream. The union calls for special training, especially overseas for the crack team in the Antiterrorism and kidnapping section of the police, so that they will be adequately trained on methods to track the kidnappers, who live with us and are no spirits. Comrade (Dr.) Igwe Achese President, NUPENG

NUPENG CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON WORSHIP CENTRES The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is worried and concerned about the new wave of killings and wanton destruction presently perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgents. The union condemns in its entirety the recent attack on the Redeemed Christian Church in Potiskum, where the Pastor and six worshippers were killed. The union also kicks against the killings of over 100 innocent souls in Zamfara and Plateau States by the insurgents. It calls on the Buhari administration to launch a new offensive to dislodge the insurgents from their various camps scattered around the Sambiza forest. The union sympathises with the families of the deceased and wants the federal government to allow the people of the North East feel the movement of the Army High Command to Maiduguri. The union calls for more funding, use of sophisticated weapons and modern scientific methods in tracking the insurgents and their sponsors. The union wants the federal government to block the sources of their financial transactions, fuel supplies, logistics to forestall further onslaught. The union is disturbed that their recent resurgence should be nipped in the bud with the co-operation of our neighbours in Chad, Cameroun, Niger and Chad. It states that the government should also devise a medium and long term plan of a kind of marshal plan of action to rejuvenate economic activities in the area, create jobs for the restless youths, with basic education put in place for the many uneducated youths that are used for suicide bombings and killings. The union believes that efforts must be made to re-organise our armed forces to make them fit to face the guerilla warfare, through adequate training, increase in payment of hazard allowances and other welfare packages to boost their morale. Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

NUPENG-PENGASSAN REGISTERS RESERVATIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT CHANGE PROCESS IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY IN PARTICULAR We, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (NUPENGASSAN) hereby wish to express our reservation over the ongoing approach of Government to the Reform programme in the Oil and Gas Industry without carrying the two Unions in the Sector along in the process. While we are fully in support of the fight against corruption, the fight itself should not be turned against workers whom Government swore to protect. The ongoing exercise portends a great danger in the Oil and Sector, if workers are meant to bear the brunt of Government current action where the fight of corruption is now used as an act of vindictiveness against workers. The ongoing exercise does not show any act of fighting corruption and blocking any leakages. We dare the new GMD of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to recover the stolen trillions of Naira in the Sector than retiring and sacking of innocent workers. We see the action as an act of cover up. We are quite sure that the ongoing action is not the idea of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. Both Unions argue that further to their social partner’s status, they are strategic players in all spheres and areas of the industry’s operation. In that regard, we have been making persistent effort to reach out to Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue but are being kept in the dark by those in charge of protocol. However, our commitments to protect and defend job security and welfare is paramount and cannot be sacrificed. We shall approach as it becomes expedient whatever Government steps and actions that are viewed as dialectical or capable of suppressing our missions and objectives as a labour movement. We are being put on the spot as representatives of organized workers in the Oil and Gas Industry to react to the manner that Government is now treading and introducing to carry out change while none of the critical challenges of Review of Industry Policy and Fiscal Framework, Cash Call and Counterpart Funding obligations, Stability of the downstream oil and gas sector, Pipeline sabotage, Oil Theft, that we have presented for immediate attention are being given secondary attention. The gale of abrupt loss of jobs currently sweeping through our apex oil Company the NNPC, is sending very wrong signals to our members throughout the oil and gas sector as per job security which is making our members agitated. It is pertinent to state here that this present Administration promised jobs creation throughout the entire strata of the economy. However, actions like these are likely to have the opposite effect We believe people are not the problem but the structure put in place. If there are strong structures and Institutions, the organization will be a more effective place. So instead of a blanket sacking of workers which other Organizations are likely to key into, Government reforms should be geared into putting in place, effective and strong structures and institutions that will meet the numerous challenges currently bedeviling the Oil and Gas Sector in particular and the Nation in general. We are glad to hear about the reinstatement of the former MD of Nigeria Ports Authority Mr. Habibu Abdullahi who was sacked unjustly, we are therefore calling on the President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR to call the GMD Dr. Ibe Emmanuel Kachikwu, to stop the ongoing sack action in the Corporation and set up a team to review his action for justice, equity and fairness which Mr. President stands for. “A stitch in time, saves nine.” COMRADE DR. IGWE ACHESE COMRADE FRANCIS JOHNSON NUPENG PRESIDENT PENGASSAN PRESIDENT