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NUPENG COMMENDS SENATE FOR PASSAGE OF PIB BILL The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) commends the Senate for passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill. The Union states that though the passage is belated and long overdue, having been in the hallowed chambers for the past 16 years, it is however a welcome development. In the same vein, NUPENG urges the House of Representatives to quickly pass the bill to allow for the President’s assent. The Union believes that the quick passage of the bill into law will increase the flow of foreign direct investment in the oil and gas industry, which has been observing a wait and see attitude on the PIB passage. The Union commends the Senate for putting the overriding interest of the nation at heart for the passage, which will bring accountability and transparency to the sector. NUPENG states that the passage will ensure more explorations in the oilfields, which in the long run will create more jobs for Nigerians. The Union warns that it will resist any attempt to reduce its workforce, when fully assented and implemented, especially when labour issues involved in the PIB are brought to focus, and therefore urge caution over the labour related matters. Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese President

NUPENG CAUTIONS ON TAKE-OVER OF PORT-HARCOURT REFINERY BY OANDO The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is worried and disturbed about the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into by the Federal Government and Oando Plc. to manage Port Harcourt Refinery under repair, operate and maintain (ROM) arrangement. The Union states that the arrangement is faulty, not transparent and did not involve the other stakeholders, especially the two oil workers unions – NUPENG and PENGASSAN. NUPENG cautions the Federal Government on the takeover bid by Oando, as it will resist it, if it leads to job losses. It stressed that Oando PLC. is not a worker-friendly organization as it detests unionization in all its subsidiaries and companies. The Union reiterates that, it is not against the Federal Government’s reforms to overhaul the Oil and Gas sector, but it should not be to the detriment of the oil and gas workers. It vowed to resist with full force the arrangement by Oando, if the oil workers who have put the refinery working with poor funding and obsolete equipment are thrown into the unemployment market by Oando. NUPENG said that the change promised by the present administration is to generate more jobs and not kill jobs and that Oando is known for outsourcing and contracting jobs where such workers have no conditions of service and are not allowed to unionise. It therefore called on the Federal Government to involve the two unions, NUPENG and PENGASSAN in the arrangement before it is signed by the end of July, 2017, in order to avert a major industrial crisis in the Oil and Gas sector of the economy. Com. Joseph Ogbebor General Secretary

NUPENG SEEK FOR DIALOGUE TO RESOLVE THE CAPITAL OIL IMPASSE The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called on the Federal government to embrace the use of dialogue to resolve the lingering impasse between the Management of Capital Oil and Department of State Services (DSS) over the illegal sale of petroleum products stored in their tank farm by the NNPC. The Union states clearly that workers have the right to protest the non-payment of their salaries and allowances and that the Federal Government should secure the jobs of those working in the sector. NUPENG however stressed that it does not support the illegal diversion and sale of petroleum products stored in the tank farm of capital oil by NNPC but that it was of the opinion that the Federal Government cannot sit down and watch workers lose their jobs, as in the case of Capital Oil, where over 2,000 workers are presently idle now. It added that the global practice is for government to secure and create jobs. The Union mentioned the case of Seawolf Oil Services that was taken over by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) where the workers have still not been paid their backlog of salaries and entitlements for over five years now. NUPENG believed that the job creation mantra of the government should be allowed to play, rather than paving way for job losses as it is the case of Capital Oil closure now. It called on the government to allow the workers to resume work at the depot and load products so that their salaries can be paid instead of throwing them into unemployment market for no fault of theirs. The Union urged the government to use the method of social dialogue to resolve the Capital Oil impasse, so that the 2,000 workers in the organization and their families do not suffer untold hardship. Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese President

NUPENG COMMENDS NNPC FOR RE-OPENING OF MOSIMI DEPOT The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has commended the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for the re- opening of Mosimi Depot. It praised the efforts of the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru for making it possible after the depot had been closed down for over a year now. The Union stated that the opening of the Mosimi depot will make distribution of petroleum products to the South-west easy and put less pressure on petroleum tankers that throng the Lagos axis to load. NUPENG called the NNPC to also re-open the system B line so that petroleum products can be dispensed through that line. The Union wants the NNPC to also go further to reactivate and re-open the other moribund depots scattered all over the county. To crown it all, it reiterates the establishment of Pipeline Protection Agency (PPA) will be saddled with the protection of pipelines traversing the nooks and crannies of the country. The Agency should be well funded and equipped with modern day gadgets like alarms, sensors and helicopters gun-ships with night vision. NUPENG also commends the NNPC Management under Dr. Maikanti Baru for the increase in refining capacity of the four nation’s refineries by 29%. The Union praised the new refinery model of each refinery purchasing crude oil at export parity price, processes and sells the corresponding products on its own account. It reiterated the need for the refineries to work optimally so that the dependence on foreign import of petroleum products will be reduced to the barest minimum. Comrade (Dr.) Igwe Achese National President

NUPENG CALLS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) calls on the federal government to give autonomy to the 774 local governments in the country so that they can operate fully without any hindrance. The Union believes that granting local governments’ autonomy will go a long way to ensure proper accountability and promote rapid infrastructural development. It added that the autonomy will make the local government Chairmen and Councilors more responsive and acceptable to the people at the grass-roots level. The Union condemns in its entirety the action of Governors who remove duly elected local government Chairmen and Councilors at will and that granting them autonomy will put a stop to it. NUPENG also states that the autonomy will make sure that direct allocation from the Federation Account are paid directly to them putting a stoppage to the hijack by Governors. The Union adds that such direct allocations to the local government Chairmen and Councilors will ensure prompt payment of salaries and allowances to workers as at when due. The Union appeals to the Federal Government to urgently revisit the issue and grant local government full autonomy so that grass-root development will be guaranteed. Comrade (Dr.) Igwe Achese National President

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE (CWC) MEETING OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS WORKERS (NUPENG) HELD AT THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT, 9, JIBOWU STREET, YABA - LAGOS ON FRIDAY, MARCH 31ST 2017 The Central Working Committee of NUPENG met on 31st March, 2017 at the National Secretariat, 9, Jibowu Street, Yaba – Lagos and deliberated on issues of urgent concerns in the Oil and Gas industry and the Nation in general. After an exhaustive deliberation on all the issues raised during the meeting, the following resolutions were adopted at the end of the meeting on issues critically impacting on the nation at large and Oil and Gas industry in particular. (a) SPATE OF REDUNDANCIES AND CLOSURES The CWC-in-Session noted with deep concern the continuous and increasing spate of redundancies and closures in the oil and gas industry, most especially within the International Oil Companies in the producing and service sector of the industry. The CWC-in Session find the situation very disturbing considering the helplessness of the supervising ministries in intervening and apprehending unfortunate slide in the employment situations in the industry with several job losses despite the assurances and directive of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige. The CWC-in-Session calls on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to stem the tide and prevail on the IOC’s and Service Companies to stop the current spate of retrenchment and redundancies in the sector.

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(b)THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY BILL (PIB) The CWC-in-Session examined the progress so far made in passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill and other components of the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill and expresses its disappointment at the slow pace of work in the passage despite the assurance given by the leadership of the national assembly that the bill will receive accelerated hearing and passage. The CWC-in-Session considered the delay in the passage of the bill to be majorly responsible for the rot in the industry and the slide in the returns accruable from investments made by successive governments and investors. The CWC-in-Session calls on the National Assembly to expedite parliamentary actions for speedy passage of the bill for the purposes of engendering transparency, accountability and commensurate returns in the operations of Oil and Gas sector, which the CWC –in- Session believes will further enhance the visibility and attractiveness of the sector to both foreign and local investors. TANKER DRIVERS WORKING CONDITIONS. The CWC-in-Session examined the various complaints and agitations of Petroleum Tanker Drivers members of the union over their deplorable working conditions with regards to poor remuneration, insecurity on the highways, poor state of roads, absence of conducive rest places on the highways and the excesses of some security agencies, most especially, the Nigeria Civil Defense Corps. The CWC-in-Session considered inhumane, the refusal of National Association of Road Transport Owner (NARTO) to commence negotiation

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with the union for the renewal of the expired Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on the working conditions of our Tanker Drivers members in PTD Branch after several appeals and even ultimatum. The CWC-in-Session therefore resolved to give full backing to any industrial action the members in this sector might decide to take with effect from Monday 3rd of April 2017. To avert the pains and discomfort the action might cause, the CWC –in - Session calls on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and apprehend the unfortunate situation to enable NARTO meets its obligations to Tanker Drivers. CAPITAL OIL NIGERIA PLC ISSUE The C.W.C-in-Session received with deep concern the reports in the news media about attempt to declare all workers in the Capital Oil Depot, including hapless Tanker Drivers redundant over issue of fraud they know nothing about. The CWC-in- Session therefore advice the Federal government and the NNPC to adopt pragmatic approach in resolving the issues in such a manner that will not lead to job losses to avoid industrial unrest in the industry that may lead to scarcity of petroleum products in the country. (c) REFINERIES The CWC-in-Session notes the current calls and agitation by some interested capitalists for the privatization of the nation’s four refineries. We kick against such moves and advise the Federal Government to sincerely do the Turn-Around-Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries and upgrade their systems in order to allow them produce at full capacity. The CWC believes that this will go a long way to reduce the massive importation of petroleum products into the country.

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The CWC-in-Session also calls on the Federal Government to grant tax holidays and free land for investors who want to establish private refineries. (d)MODULAR REFINERIES The CWC-in-Session commends the Federal Government position to encourage operators of illegal refineries to be integrated into establishment of modular refineries. The CWC –in - Session advice that the pronouncement should not be political but matched with actions to train the Refiners, put appropriate policies and regulations in place to regulate their operations in order to protect the eco system from possible negative effects of their activities. The Council –in- Session further urge the Federal Government to support the Refiners with funds necessary for effective and efficient modular refineries which we believe will go a long way in supporting the supply of Petroleum Products for local consumption and also generate employment opportunities for the restless youths. (e) THE ECONOMY The Central Working Committee (CWC) x-rayed the state of the economy and commended the government in its efforts shore up the naira against the dollar and the drop of the inflationary rate to 17.5 percent. The session however states that a lot still needs to be dome to address the current recession and reduce the hunger in the land. The CWC-in-Session wants the Federal Government to address the challenges of poverty, unemployment and hunger in the land. It adds that the Federal Government should vigorously address the issue of rising costs of goods and services. The CWC-in-Session calls on the Federal Government to look inward and put structures and strategies to restructure the economy. The Session

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wants the National Assembly to quickly put finishing touches to the budget so that it can be passed and assented by the President, so that the liquidity squeeze can addressed and debts owed contractors paid after verification. (f) POWER The CWC-in-Session deliberated on the poor power supply in the country which is adding to the cost of doing business. It laments that the economy is still generator-driven and states that the privatization of the power sector has failed. It adds that the Federal Government should put pressure on the GENCO’s and the DISCO’s to be alive to their responsibilities or have their licenses revoked. (g)PROPOSED INCREASE IN PUMP PRICE OF PMS The CWC deliberated on recent calls by oil marketers that the current price of =N=145 per litre for PMS is no longer realistic in view of the landing costs. We state that any plan by the government to increase the pump price of PMS will be tantamount to increasing the suffering of the masses and NUPENG will resist it. (h)BAD ROADS The CWC-in-Session notes the current efforts of the government in bringing the contractors back to site but calls for adequate funding so that the pace of work can be increased. At present, the construction work on most of the sites is at a slow speed and wants the Federal Government to pay the contractors so that the bad roads, especially the major highways can be rehabilitated.

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(i) INSECURITY The CWC-in-Session commends the Federal Government for the flushing out of the Boko Haram members from the Sambisa forest but calls on the military intelligence to be up and doing to stem the current tide of suicide bombings in the Maiduguri area. The Council-in –Session further commends the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security for all the gallant efforts in stemming the spate of armed robberies and kidnappings in the country. We are aware of their limitations in terms of equipment and modern technology to address modern day security challenges Notwithstanding the observed gaps, The CWC-in-Session expresses deep worries over the continued incidences of kidnappings and rapes in the country. We call on the security agencies to spread their dragnets in arresting the current scourge of kidnappings and raping in all parts of the country. (j) UNITED LABOUR CONGRESS (ULC) The CWC-in-Session affirmed the membership of NUPENG in the newly formed labour centre, the United Labour Congress (ULC). The Session agreed to pursue the ideals and programmes of the ULC. It also congratulated the Union’s President Comrade (Dr.) Igwe Achese as the ULC Deputy President. The CWC –in –Session receives with consternation the unscrupulous clandestine moves of some individuals and desperate Politicians to paint the collective resolve of Workers to come together and freely associate in a bad light to the effect of making attempt to deny the registration United Labour Congress as a centre for registered Trade Unions in Nigeria.

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The CWC-in-Session strongly noted that freedom of association, most especially for workers is expressly stated in section 40 of the Nigerian constitution and eloquently espoused in the ILO Convention. It was noted freedom of association is an inalienable right of Nigerian workers. The CWC-in-Session emphasize the fact, it is only ULC that has made genuine and concrete efforts to duly registered as a labour centre in Nigeria as required by the law. It will therefore be a misnomer and blatant aberration if the wicked wishes of the ignoble cabals are allowed to prevail. The CWC-in-Session resolved to do all within its powers for the full realization of the desire and aspiration of the teaming members of the United Labour Congress to get it registered and recognized as a Labour Centre representing major segments of Workers in Nigeria. We shall surely overcome.

Comrade Igwe Achese President

Comrade Joseph Ogbebor General Secretary

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NUPENG COMMENDS THE ARMED FORCES FOR THE TAKE-OVER OF SAMBISA FOREST The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have commended the men of the Armed Forces for the successful takeover of the Sambisa forest. It praised the Armed Forces for their gallantry and courage of over-running the dreaded Sambisa Forest, which is the last enclave of the Boko Haram. The Union stated that the capture of Sambisa forest was a good New Year gift for Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari and the Nation in general with presentation of the Boko Haram and Shekau’s Quran found in the forest to the Commander-in-Chief. The Union commended the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar for the strategy they out in place to wipe the last hold of the Boko Haram. NUPENG reiterated that the battle is not yet won, as there are still pockets of Boko Haram resistance around and called for vigilance and intelligence gathering to wipe out the remnants of the sect in order to fully liberate the North-East. NUPENG wants the Armed Forces to intensify its mop-up operations to rid the region of the last vestiges of Boko Haram, so that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS’s) can return home. We call on the Federal Government to provide adequate security to safeguard the people from armed banditry and robberies.

NUPENG TO BEGIN 3-DAY WARNING STRIKE IN JANUARY The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) will embark on a 3-day warning strike nation-wide in January as a result of unresolved labour issues with multinationals operating in the oil and gas industry. This decision was taken at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Port Harcourt on Monday. It warned that the 3-day warning strike is preparatory to a nation-wide strike if there is no intervention by the Federal Government. The Union stated that the date in January will be communicated to all its members but advised them to start wearing red bands to work from next week while the members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers have been instructed also to put green leaves on their tankers as a protest preparatory for the commencement of the 3-day warning strike next month. NUPENG added that it will resist any divestment by the multinationals that does not carry the Union along, especially in OML 53 and 55 operated by Chevron and now OML 30. The Union stressed that it believes that whatever goodwill government has to encourage investors to come should not lead to job loses but job creation. The unresolved labour related issues which made the Union to issue a 21-day ultimatum for the Federal Government’s intervention include the non-payment of terminal benefits to 48 contract staff and 250 contract staff terminated in Lagos and Port Harcourt by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC). The others are the refusal of Exxon Mobil Producing to reinstate over 200 NUPENG Members sacked through its directives to her labour contractors despite ultimatum jointly issued by NUPENGASSAN. The Chevron issue includes the total closure of the Company’s Eastern operations through divestment and refusal to discuss the redundancy terms and its refusal to facilitate the formation of Chevron labour Contractors Forum to interface with NUPENG. The NUPENG also added that Chevron’s refusal to allow workers to unionize is also causing industrial relations tension. The other issues include Tecon Oil Services Management reneging on the communiqué signed with the Union on offloading the severance benefits of its members working in the companies.

The other unresolved labour issues involve Pan Ocean non-implementation of annual salary increase for NUPENG Members in the company from 2014 till date. Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese President

NUPENG WARNS ON PLANS TO SCRAP NNPC, DPR, PPPRA The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has warned the Federal Government to desist from its plans to scrap the NNPC, DPR,PPPRA and other agencies in the oil and gas industry without proper consultation with the Unions. It stated that it was another attempt by the Government to reduce the workforce in the sector and will be resisted by the Union. NUPENG added that the current back door policy to retrench workers in the Federal Government Corporations will not augur well for the industrial peace and harmony in the oil and gas sector under the guise of a National oil policy. The Union reiterated that what is necessary now is to strengthen the companies by granting them autonomy and not to be controlled by red-tapism in Government. It went on to say that scrapping these bodies and putting them under one umbrella to be known as Petroleum Regulatory Commission (PRC) will be too cumbersome and make the Petroleum Minister too powerful. The Union calls on the Federal Government to put pressure on the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which will make the oil and gas industry much more efficient, transparent and accountable and in the long run bring the needed investments in the sector. NUPENG warns that it will not tolerate what the Federal Government is presently doing in aviation agencies like NAMA, FAAN, NIMET, where workers are been sacked in the name restructuring. The Union advised the National Assembly not to allow the scrapping of NNPC, DPR, and PPPRA as they were set up by law and cannot be scrapped overnight by Government fiat. It continued that the workers Union in the sector will resist the plan with all its powers and might. Com Igwe Achese NUPENG President

NUPENG ADVISES GOVERNMENT ON CURRENT CHALLENGES FACING OIL PRODUCTION The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is disturbed and worried about the drop in Oil production occasioned by the bombings of Oil and power installations in the Niger Delta. It therefore advises the Federal Government to reinstate the former private security outfits that were used to police the oil pipelines by the past administration. The Union posits that the current challenges facing the Oil production capacity can only be addressed by bringing back the private security agencies that were approved by the last administration which was profitable to the Oil and Gas industry and the Nation in general. NUPENG is of the opinion that when the services of these security agencies were employed by the former Government, the Nation’s pipelines were more secured and crude oil production was at its peak of 2.4 million barrels per day and there was respite. The Union decries that it was unacceptable for our crude Oil production to plummet to only 900,000 barrels per day now in view of the recession when a ready solution is within our reach by re-engaging these private security agencies who know the terrain better and how to check the vandals. It calls on the Federal Government to take the bull by the horn and stop the blame game that the economic recession is caused by the bombings of Oil installations in the Niger Delta, when the panacea is to reinstate the former security agencies to put a stop to the menace which is taking a toll on the economy. It is against this backdrop that NUPENG strongly believes that for the Nation’s Oil production to increase to meet our local and international demands the local private security agencies engaged by the past administration which helped the economy in no small measure should be brought back or else we will continue to trade blames. Comrade (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

NUPENG WARNS ON SALE OF GOVERNMENT OIL ASSETS The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have called on the Federal Government to reject the advice in certain quarters to sell our refineries and shares in NLNG. The Union frowns at the advice been propagated by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Former Governor of CBN and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and business mogul, Aliko Dangote as selfish and not in the National interest. NUPENG vows to resist any attempt by the Federal Government to sell the Nation’s assets, as it will lead to massive job losses and endanger our security. It stated that for security and strategic reserve reasons, the Nation’s four refineries should not be sold but re-streamed for efficient performance. NUPENG stressed that the current campaign to sell the Nation’s assets which was rescinded by the late Umaru Yar’adua administration after Olusegun Obasanjo had sold them as scraps to these same business hawks is condemnable. The Union called on the Federal Government to ignore the advice and encourage foreign and local investors to set up new refineries, like the Dangote example. It reiterated that the economy can be rejiged through putting up short-term, medium-term and long-term economic policy measures to ameliorate the poverty and suffering in the land. We call on Mr. President to declare a state of economic emergency and summon an all encompassing Stakeholders meeting to brainstorm on how the present economic challenges can be quickly addressed. The Union is of the view that Nigeria is a big market and certain measures should be put in place to reflate the economy so that it will be an investors destination.

NUPENG BLASTS SECURITY AGENCIES ON EDO POLLS The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have condemned the advice by the Police and DSS Operatives that the Edo Polls slated for Saturday be postponed for security reasons. The Union stated that the primary responsibility of the security agencies is to protect lives and properties and believes it has failed in its responsibility to do so. NUPENG warned that the Police and DSS should not drag the wheel of democracy backward as they had ample time to beef-up security in the State even with the deployment of 25,000 Personnel. The Union warned that the advice is defeatist, uncalled for, unjustified and a failure on the part of the security agencies and that NUPENG is saying that Nigeria workers are watching and INEC must conduct the election on Saturday. NUPENG advised the security agencies to provide the necessary security as it was shocking to hear such comments from them. It stated that the advice is unheard of, and wondered what then their responsibility is. The Union called on INEC to go ahead with the polls, except that they want the World to believe that they have a hidden agenda. Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

NUPENG CONDEMNS KIDNAPPING OF 14 OIL WORKERS The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) condemns in its entirety the recent kidnapping of 14 Oil W orkers returning from Egbema-Ohaji field to Port Harcourt, Rivers State by yet to be identified kidnappers. The Union expresses its rude shock at the act on 14 Oil Workers of Nestoil and calls on the security agencies to spread their dragnet to rescue them unhurt. NUPENG states that the kidnap is one, too many as all hands must be on deck to protect the lives of oil workers especially those working in installations. We are therefore worried about the attack which has made Oil Workers an endangered specie. It calls on the Federal Government to quickly ensure that Oil Workers returning from fields are giving adequate security. The Union warns that the recent kidnapping of such numbers of Workers will further scare foreign investors that would want to bring in the needed foreign capital and expertise to expand on projects in the Oil and Gas Sector. It wants the security agencies to intensify efforts to comb the creeks and make sure the kidnapped Oil Workers are brought back alive to rejoin their families with no ransome paid and the culprits punished. NUPENG advises those involved in these dastardly acts to retrace their steps and find something meaningful to do. It enjoins the Federal Government to tackle the economic downturn with vigour so that the current level of unemployment will be drastically reduced. The Union reiterates that the Federal Government owes it a duty to the citizenry to make things work, reflate the economy, repair dilapidated infrastructure and assist small scale business enterprises to thrive in order to get our restive youths engaged. Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

NUPENG WARNS ON DANGERS IN CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is worried and disturbed on the danger signals of current political situation in the country. The Union states that it has watched with keen interest the political power play and intrigues been perpetrated by the judiciary with divergent court judgments which portend danger to our nascent democracy that our leaders sacrificed so much for. NUPENG finds it disgraceful and embarrassing at the recent two court judgments on the same issue concerning the aborted convention of the opposition party, in which the state security apparatus was used massively to stop the delegates from entering the premises in Port Harcourt . The Union warns that democracy should not be killed as we all worked hard to enthrone it. NUPENG believes that the Port Harcourt convention saga was a threat to democracy by using the police to prevent people from exercising their rights. The Union states that these actions are capable of heating up the polity in an already distressed economy. The Union also reiterates that the arbitrariness and highhandedness used on the political situation in states ruled by the opposition party, namely of recent, Abia, Rivers, and Ekiti should be done with caution as we have to put into practice how democracy work in other parts of the world. NUPENG therefore calls on the judiciary to be alive to its responsibilities and should not be used as a willing tool by politicians to make mockery of its multiple judgments which is counterproductive and shameful. The union calls on the president Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in all these issues in order not to allow our democracy fail, as Nigerians are watching. The Union also calls on the Chief Justice of the federation to investigate and probe into these dubious judgments and sanction the erring judges for putting the judiciary to ridicule and opprobrium. NUPENG also enjoins the members of the National Assembly not to be spectators and just seat at the hallowed chambers and watch the drama, in the current political melee as they have a duty in their oversight functions to intervene and allow for free, fair-play and justice to operate in the system and all hands must be on deck. Comrade (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

NUPENG TASKS BUHARI ON THE ECONOMY The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) is worried and concerned about the parlous state of the economy. The Union adds that the Buhari administration is yet to fully tackle the economic challenges facing the country. NUPENG is concerned about the weak state of the naira, growing inflation, rise in the cost of prices of goods and essential services, unemployment and growing incidences of crime rate in the country. The Union states that the current sufferings of the masses which Mr. President, Muhammad Buhari recently acknowledged should be uppermost in the administration and tackled. The Union calls for the declaration of a state of emergency on the economy with a view to urgently address the issues. NUPENG calls on Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari to involve other stakeholders into the Economic Team headed by the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to meet on the way forward. It states that a blessed Nation like Nigeria cannot continue to lament with its abundant resources. The Union therefore wants the Federal Government to diversify the economy and venture into agricultural development and solid minerals through public private partnership. It is not enough for it to be involved in rhetorics while time is tickling out, the Union said. NUPENG calls on the Federal Government to pay its Joint Ventures funds to Oil Companies in order to stimulate the sector and stop the current redundancies, which has become the order of the day. The Union also appeals to the Government to use part of the looted funds and the Abacha money to pay verified contractors especially those involved in road construction works in order to bring back workers on stood-off to work. The Union adds that tax holidays and free lands should be given to genuine investors as it will go a long way to put the economy on track. The Union also wants an efficient tax regime that will make sure that businesses especially owned by the super rich are adequately taxed, as most of them explore the loopholes in the system to dodge payment of taxes. Com (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

NUPENG COMMENDS NGIGE ON THREAT TO WITHDRAW LICENCES OF BANKS OVER SACK OF WORKERS The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) commends the Honourable Minister of Labour, Dr. (Senator) Chris Ngige on the threat by the Government to withdraw licences of banks currently rationalizing their workforce. NUPENG states that Nigerian Banks are unfair to the workers who toil day and night to make their businesses viable. The Union adds that the workers are always at the receiving end of retrenchment, even when the banks continue to declare huge profits and dividends. NUPENG reiterates that it supports the Minister of Labour’s position to impose punitive sanctions on the banks through withdrawal of licences, should they continue with the sack. The Union calls on the Federal Government to extend such punitive sanctions to the other sectors of the economy, where similar retrenchment exercises are been carried out like the oil, aviation, electricity sub-sectors. NUPENG wants the National Assembly to be alive to its responsibilities and put a halt to the gale of retrenchment in these sectors in order not to worsen the saturated unemployment market. It states that NUPENG aligns with the two-week ultimatum issued by the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (NUBIFIE) for the recall of the sacked bank workers. NUPENG is ready to mobilize and join forces with NUBIFIE in the picketing of the banks until the workers are re-instated, The Union adds that the dignity of the Nigerian worker must be restored with a view to putting an end to modern day slavery in the workplace. Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

NUPENG IS NOT ON STRIKE The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has said that its members are not on strike and are going about performing their legitimate duties. It stated that it aligned with the Comrade Joseph Ajaero led faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress not to embark on a nation-wide strike action. The Union directed all its members nationwide to go to work and ignore the calls by the Ayuba led faction of the NLC to go on strike. The Union called on its members working in oil installations, loading depots to be alive to their responsibilities. NUPENG reiterated that all filling stations must be opened for the petrol station workers to dispense petroleum products to the end users. The Union enjoined the oil marketers to open their depots for the members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers to load petroleum products to the different locations in the country. It stated that the leadership of NUPENG does not subscribe to any strike action and that members should go about their lawful duties, while it awaits full commencement of negotiation with government on review of the minimum wage and palliatives that will cushion the effect of the fuel price hike. Comrade (Dr.) Igwe Achese NUPENG President

NUPENG CONDEMNS BLOW UP OF CHEVRON PLATFORM The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG) has condemned the recent blow up of Chevron Valve Platform in Abiteye, Warri North Local Government Area in Delta State. The Union stated that the blow up by suspected militants is not in good taste and must not be allowed to continue. NUPENG appealed to the suspected militants to sheath their sword and stop the destruction of oil installations and pipelines. It stated that the blow-up will cost the joint venture partners billions of naira as it will affect crude oil supplies and gas distribution to thermal stations. The Union urged the militants to stop the dastardly act as it affects the ecosystem through the destruction of aquaculture, farmlands, water, and river pollution arising from the spillage. The Union called on the militants to desist from the act as it draws the economy back and affects the climate and lives of the citizens of the host community. It called on the group to embrace peace and not embark on further threats or damage to pipelines. The Union added that the Federal government should intensify effort to set up the proposed pipelines protection Agency as said by the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbanjo that will be equipped with modern day technology to stem the tide of vandalism The Union reiterated that the security agencies must redouble their efforts 24/7 with equipment installed with night visions to put a stop to such surprise attacks on oil installations and pipelines.

NUPENG CALLS ON KACHIKWU TO RESIGN The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources who also doubles as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to resign his appointment for failure to address the challenges facing the oil and gas industry and causing untold hardship on the citizenry. The Union states that Dr. Ibe Kachikwu should resign for his inability to address the perennial fuel scarcity which has become an epidemic and a cankerworm since his appointment as NNPC Group Managing Director. The Union reiterates that the man-hours lost at filling stations is becoming unbearable and that he should resign forthwith as all the solutions proffered by him have yielded no results but pains on the suffering masses. NUPENG adds that Dr. Kachikwu’s anti-peoples policies are too elitist and not in tandem with the campaign promises of the Buhari administration. The Union notes that the proposed plan by NNPC under Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to cut contracting cycle in the oil and gas sector which will impact negatively on the workers in the sector from the current two to four years to six months will further worsen the unemployment situation in the country. NUPENG adds that the planned privatization of the nation’s assets vis-à-vis, the refineries, depots, jetties through the backdoor to cronnies will further compound the challenges facing the sector. This is borne out of the total failure of the privatization of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, (PHCN) which brought us total darkness and massive loss of jobs. The Union states that the policies enunciated by Dr Kachikwu are obnoxious, alien, unworkable and full of semantics and have failed from the on-set, hence the nation’s citizens have continued to suffer with redundancies been declared on a daily basis in the oil and gas sector since he assumed office. The Union adds that the inconsistencies in the policies and promises never kept have put us in this quagmire. The Union calls on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to resign, instead of the current embarrassment he has put the Buhari administration that promised us job creation and alleviation of poverty.

The Union calls on Government to take the bull by the horn and wet the country with petroleum products to stop the suffering of our people, pay joint venture funds owed oil majors and rehabilitate the refineries and not engage in joint operatorship. Comrade Joseph Ogbebor NUPENG Acting General Secretary

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 President

JOSEPH OGBEBOR Acting General Secretary