Author - PROSPER AKRAI
April 9, 2022
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FULL TEXT OF WELCOME ADDRESS BY COMRADE (PRINCE) WILLIAMS AKPOREHA, NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF NUPENG AT THE 5TH QUADRENNIAL DELEGATES’ CONFERENCE

WELCOME ADDRESS BY COMRADE (PRINCE) WILLIAMS AKPOREHA, NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF NUPENG AT THE 5TH QUADRENNIAL DELEGATES’ CONFERENCE HOLDING TODAY, TUESDAY 5TH APRIL, 2022 AT GOVERNMENT EVENT CENTRE, ASABA, DELTA STATE. PROTOCOLS It gives me great pleasure to welcome The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, H.E Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, your Excellencies, Executive Governors of Oil Producing States of the Federation, Honourable Ministers, Captains of our Industry, distinguished guests, my fellow Comrades and my highly respected Delegates to the 5th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of our great Union in the historic city of Asaba, the capital of Delta State. I feel so proud and extremely joyous that I am a full-blooded Deltan when I see distinguished personalities gather here today, the creme de la creme of Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry, Economic Bureaucrats and Nigeria Labour movement today. This pride and joy is made possible, courtesy of my amiable, hardworking, Labour Friendly and highly pragmatic Senior brother and governor of our great Delta State. Your Excellency sir, our very dear Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the people’s Governor, on behalf of the rank-and-file members of the great NUPENG, I wish to express our profound appreciation to you for your kind gesture to host the 5th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of our great Union and for making your brother proud. I must also specially appreciate, our dear Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, a Comrade and leader of excellence, Mallam Mele Kyari and his entire Management team for finding time to be here today and most especially for being our pillar of support and success in the last four years. There is no doubt in the fact that our story and success will never be complete without adequate and commendable mention of the great assistance and support of these wonderful people. May I also use this platform to appreciate the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige for the excellent services and support our Union received from the institution and the wonderful staff there, most especially during the period of Covid-19 Pandemic, when management were making serious attempts and efforts to declare redundancies and termination on the grounds of the pandemic. The Honourable Minister stood up to be counted as a strong pillar of support for the Union and the workers. We must also not forget to mention some particular individuals like the Director of Trade Union Services, (Mrs. C. Akpan) and the Registrar of Trade Union (Mr. Amos Falonipe) for their diligent and professional conducts and activities on the mandates of the Honorable Minister of Labour. In demonstration of Trade Union democratic tradition and most importantly in line with the Constitutional provisions of our Union, the 5th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of our Union is being convened today at the very prestigious Government Event Centre, Okpanam Road, Asaba, Delta State, the 5th of April, 2022. The National Delegates’ Conference is the highest organ of the Union and the democratic platform for the workers representatives to gather as delegates to brainstorm, debate, interrogate and set agendas/ mandates for the new leaders that will be elected at the conference to run the affairs of the Union for the next four (4) years. The theme for the conference has been carefully and appropriately chosen to be “Just Energy Transition: Most Essential For Oil and Gas Workers Social Security and Welfare”. This theme is chosen in line with the new reality occasioned by climate change resulting in the global decision to address what is regarded as the major cause of the problem. It is in the informed scientific opinion of the global community that the current major sources of energy for industrial and domestic production is the main catalyst of the climatic changes the world is witnessing these days, therefore the need to transit to a more sustainable sources of energy for both industrial and domestic productions. There is no doubt in the fact that the energy transition will have significant socio/economic costs for the people and the various levels of government, and this explains why global Trade Union movement is demanding for a Just Transition that will take into cognizance the socio/economic effect on the working people. To adequately present this issue to us today, is an erudite Professor of Environment and Development, Professor Chuks Okereke. This is a man that has dedicated great part of his works and studies to the issue of Climate change and energy transition at the global and national levels. THE JOURNEY SO FAR For the records, this administration that is terminating today came into office precisely on the 6th of April, 2018 and to the glory of God and service to our members and humanity in general, we have been able to serve to the best of our ability.
  1. 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE UNION
Our first major task as we assumed office in 2018, was to organize a befitting 40th Anniversary celebration of the Union as it coincided with our emergence and to the glory of God, we were able to put up what was adjudged a wonderful anniversary celebration for the Union. At the celebration, we were able to bring together under one roof, Veterans of the Union who toiled so hard to build a very good foundation for the Union with the current Comrades who are struggling to keep the flag flying as of today. It was a celebration of the old and the new as well as Friends and well-wishers of our great Union sitting together to chart a better and sustainable future for the great NUPENG. It was such a memorable celebration with Elder Stateman, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) as the Chairman of that awesome anniversary and where some of you also here today honored us with your esteem presence in December, 2018. Part of the mandate given to us at the anniversary by the entire old and new members was to build a new Tower befitting the brand and status of the Union. The second mandate was to continue to defend and protect the job security and interests of our teeming members with all our powers and resources.
  1. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
It is my great pleasure to announce that arising from the 40th Anniversary, the leadership of the Union took up the initiative to build a new edifying National Secretariat for the Union christened the NUPENG TOWER. However, there was a small challenge in the fact that, out of the four (4) Zonal Councils of the Union, it was only Kaduna Zone that was still in a rented apartment. The leadership felt that, for socio justice and equality amongst all the zones, we must as a duty to the Union, build a befitting Secretariat for Kaduna Zone as well. To the glory of God and service to our members, we commenced the construction of the Kaduna Zonal Secretariat and completed it together with the hotel apartment within a year and four months. In December 2020, the Secretariat was commissioned and put to official use immediately while the union is still sourcing for a credible Hoteling organization to operate the Hotel on behalf of the Union. I wish to state here that as I address this gathering today, there are some options for the leadership awaiting consideration immediately after the conference. With our eyes also focusing on the mandate of building a new National Secretariat for the Union, the leadership of the Union in August 2019, initiated a groundbreaking ceremony for the NUPENG TOWER at our same 9, Jibowu Street, Jibowu, Yaba, Lagos. Immediately after the groundbreaking ceremony, the construction of the 8 floors NUPENG TOWER commenced without stopping and as at this moment, the contractors have concluded work on the 8th floor of the Tower with the roofing in place. We are very confident, that everyone of us gathered here will be invited to the NUPENG TOWER Housewarming by December this year by the special grace of God if given another mandate. Under my leadership, we have also secured a large expanse of land in Abuja for office and business purposes. The Union has since received the land allocation papers.  Let me use this opportunity to commend the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch for the assistance in the efforts that yielded the land allocation papers. On the Tanker Park in Port-Harcourt, skeletal business of parking of tankers has begun. The topography survey of the land has been carried out by our engineers handling the NUPENG TOWER. Work will soon commence here as the PTD branch has been mandated to handle the project.  This is one of our plans to diversify sources of revenue of the Union for sustainability and growth.
  1. COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Just as we were trying to find our feet and direction in 2019, Covid 19 pandemic brought the whole world to its knees, and we were faced with twin challenges of massive loss of membership and income for the Union. The gale of redundancies loomed large everywhere, but by the special grace of God, we survived and came out stronger and united despite the effects of the Covid – 19 pandemic and dismal economic performance which has drastically reduced our membership. The good thing is that the Union never allowed the pandemic to deter her from carrying out her welfare policies to members. At the peak of the pandemic and during the Federal Government imposed lockdown, the leadership of the Union went around the Petroleum Products Depots to distribute hand sanitizers and face masks to our members whilst educating them on how to stay safe through protocols of social distancing and hand washing to prevent the spread of the virus.
  1. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
The challenges of the downturn of the nation’s economy which was further worsened by the global economic meltdown occasioned by the Covid – 19 Pandemic created so many challenges for the industrial relations system not only in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry but in all other sectors globally resulting into closure of businesses and gales of redundancies and loss of jobs. Our team was able to rise to the occasion to strongly protect and defend the jobs of our members. We also commend our staff, members and managements for the mutual sacrifices made during the period for the survival of businesses and continuation of jobs. Although, we lost some numbers of membership due to the pandemic and economic meltdown, the Union was never cowed as we ensured that those that lost their jobs were adequately compensated in line with the subsisting Collective Bargaining Agreement and in some instances with some extra gratifications. We inherited some seemingly intractable industrial relations issues, some of which had been on ground for upward of six (6) to ten (10) years aside from continuous of Collective Bargaining Agreement, Redundancies, and other industrial relations disputes. Some of the issues are:
  1. CHEVRON
One of the well-known seemingly difficult issue that we inherited and successfully resolved was that of the 2012 short payment of terminal benefits to former staff of Big Six Labour Contractors. This was an issue that had defied all solution from the previous regime spanning several years. We are very proud to report to this great gathering, that our administration stepped in and was able to handle this age long struggle to a very positive and successful conclusion with the signing of landmark agreement which provide for the sum of 2.1 million naira to each of the 1710 workers affected. This is a great victory for the Union.
  1. VALIANT ENERGY
Another landmark struggle we took on immediately we assumed leadership was that of one employer that had already eloped with workers terminal benefits even before we came on board. Thirty-Nine contract staff, who were members of the Union, worked for the Valiant Energy Services West Africa on a Drilling Rig for Total E&P from January 2018 to June 2019 and when the contract ended, the Owner of the Company disappeared into thin air and no one could trace him including security agencies. Through creative and well-coordinated efforts of the leadership and solidarity from other contract workers working for this same man on Shell Drilling Rig, we were able as well to successfully resolve this lingering impasse between Valiant Energy and the Union. The 39 workers were eventually paid their severance benefits and our collective efforts yielded another milestone achievement. III.       AMCON VS SEAWOLF We also inherited the case of former staff of defunct Seawolf and AMCON. The matter was already in court before we came in and we followed it up from where we met the case. Unfortunately, after a lengthy trial at the National Industrial Court (NIC), Abuja Judicial Division, judgment was given against the workers and Union. The Union sought for advice from an external counsel who advised us that the matter was not diligently and competently handled right from the beginning and in view of what was argued and presented at the lower court our chances on appeal would be very slim. Based on that, we have decided to seek diplomatic and political solution to resolve the matter by seeking audience with the new management of AMCON on how to find a compassionate resolution of the matter for the workers. These are just few among numerous successful IR issues that were handled by this outgoing leadership.
  1. BIOMETRIC IDENTITY CARD
As part of our effort to build positive brand for our great Union and protect the good image we inherited from our founding fathers, the leadership of the Union under my watch initiated the development of digitalized biometric identification cards for our members in the informal sector. This we believe will help to keep our identity safe from fraudsters and imposters who are found of faking our identity cards and image to defraud members of the public and as well carry out criminal and nefarious activities in the Oil and Gas sector. The first phase of the initiative has been successfully concluded for the informal sector branches and the new identity cards have been distributed. The identity card is now being used to conduct elections in the informal sector branches which has gone a long way to simplify and authenticate our accreditation processes during elections. As evidence of how widely acceptable the project is, Delegates at the recently convened Special Delegates Conference the Union, unanimously adopted the motion to extend the coverage of the new initiative to even members in the formal sector of the Union. With this resolution from the Special Delegates Conference, the second phase of the biometric identity card will soon commence to cover all our members in the formal sector branches.
  1. UNION STAFF
When we came onboard, it was evidently clear to us that we needed to boost the morale of the staff of the Union, improve the tools/equipment of their work and inject new blood with required skills and competence into the system. To address the obvious gaps, our administration immediately on assumption of duty, reviewed the salaries and allowances of staff (the review has been done twice since we came on board), we cleared backlogs of promotions and bought working tools and equipment for staff to work with. These included Computers/ laptops and SUV vehicles for Head of departments to facilitate their activities across the country. Staff were also sent on series of trainings and skill enhancement programmes, all these we believe have enhanced the productivity levels of these staff. The leadership also employed new staff into the Union based on areas of urgent needs, skills and competence of those employed. We employed a total of 15 new staff while seven staff retired and exited the Union during this period. I am very pleased to inform you that the entitlements of all retired staff were promptly paid.
  1. TRAININGS
During the period of our first tenure, we executed several trainings successfully for different categories of structures in the zones, at the National level and for the Women Committee leadership. We were able to successfully secure sponsorship for all the National Executive Council (NEC) members to be trained outside the shores of this country. This helped in exposing them to best practices and standards globally. Unfortunately, we couldn’t embark on any national training in the past two years due to the constraints of Covid – 19 Pandemic. VII.     WOMEN COMMITTEE DELEGATES CONFERENCE In November 2020, the National Women Committee Delegates Conference was convened and successfully held in Warri, Delta State, where new National leadership emerged. The previous executives led by Comrade Thelma Ndukwe Ona handed over to the new executives led by Comrade Adesua Orhibabor. In line with our constitutional provisions, the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of the Women Committee have automatically become members of the NEC as provided by the NUPENG Constitution. Also, with the amendment of the Constitution, the Trustee of the Women Committee has become a NEC member too. VIII.    YOUTH COUNCIL In line with global practice, NUPENG successfully inaugurated Youth Council to handle the affairs of young Union members with Protem officers of these Councils in all the zones of the Union.
  1. STRUGGLES/CAMPAIGN AGAINST INDECENT WORK
  2. a) SHELL
The challenge of indecent work is still on the increase in the Oil and Gas Industry. Nigerians working in the Nigeria Oil and Gas industry, most especially those employed by the 3rd party Contractors are suffering under the yoke of indecent employment with their rights and privileges being constantly trampled upon. Union took her campaign against indecent work most especially in Shell Petroleum Development Company’s operation to SHELL AGM meetings in Hague, Switzerland in 2018 and 2019 with support from IndustriALL Global Union. These campaigns were successful to the extent that we put the plight of these workers to the global space for discussion. The outcomes include some appreciable improvement in their situation with the signing of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Contract workers in Shell Petroleum Development Company. The Union is vehemently kicking against all forms of casualisation in the oil and gas industry which is a form of modern-day slavery. The multinational oil companies are consistently taking advantage of the loopholes in our laws to continue the practice. We will continue to fight and make sure that our members enjoy good condition of service.  We will not rest on our oars in the fight to end casualisation but in the meantime we will ensure that all our members are protected at their place of work.
  1. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT - ROADS
As part of our campaigns and struggles for good working conditions for our members, we have consistently been engaging the Federal Government on the need to put our highways in good conditions. I am very pleased to inform this wonderful gathering that through the intervention of the management of NNPC, our campaign has yielded the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to use Six Hundred and Twenty-One Billion Naira (N621 Billion) Tax relief to complete the construction and rehabilitation of Twenty-One (21) critical roads across the country. We commend the initiative of NNPC for this and the Federal Executive Council for the unique approval. I want to express my deep appreciation and thanks for our entire members in the area of support, cooperation and loyalty in moving the Union forward. I can never take your support for me and my leadership for granted. As we continue this journey, we will continue to do our best in making sure that workers’ rights are not suppressed and will use all available power within our ambit to defend you all. Be that as it may, my heart is pained due to the current situation bedeviling our country Nigeria. STATE OF THE NATION
  1. CASUALIZATION / CONTRACT STAFFING
The level of casualization / contract staffing under the guise of outsourcing has been turned to slave employment across the oil and gas industry. A situation where core activities of oil and gas operations in companies are carried out by casual workers is gradually spelling doom for the industry if not checked. As high productivity cannot be expected when those handling critical operations are treated like slaves and ill motivated. We hereby call on relevant monetary agencies to rise to the occasion by ensuring that global standards are maintained on human capital issues across the industry.
  1. INSECURITY
We are very much disturbed about the insecurity and senseless killings, kidnappings, farmer/herders’ clashes going around the country. It is not wrong to say that nowhere and indeed no one is safe in Nigeria today. The media is awash with news of one form of trouble or the other. I know security is the responsibility of all of us, but may I use this medium to further call on the Federal and State Governments to stand up to their most important constitutional duty to protect and safeguard the lives and properties of all Nigerians. The Police and other security operatives should be empowered with new technological apparatus needed to intelligently combat this situation. The increasing level of insecurity is discouraging both national and international investors from doing any meaningful investment in the country. This unfortunate situation is creating more unemployment, business closures and poverty rates in the country. In this regard we believe that State and Community policing should be the way forward in tackling this menace.
  1. PETROLEUM INDUSTRY ACT (PIA)
The Union wishes to appreciate the distinguished members of the National Assembly for the passage the Petroleum Industry Act into law which has been in the works for the past twelve (12) years. Of course, like every law, this one is not perfect as there have been reservations from several quarters, but we are grateful that we have an Act that will help to improve the accountability and transparency in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. We however demand that the Steering Committee that is working to put the implementation in place must be transparent and take on board all labor issues to the satisfaction of the oil and Gas workers
  1. STATE OF THE REFINERIES
The deplorable state of the four refineries in the country is disheartening and disturbing not only to the Union but to the entire nation. We are really worried and concerned that a country with the resources and the population like Nigeria still dependent on importation, thereby exporting jobs and resources to other countries. The Federal Government should be up and doing to ensure that the refineries are working to reduce importation. Though we commend the present efforts of Government to revamp the refineries, we however note that the process is becoming too slow and should therefore be expedited for the common good of all as Nigerians are running out of patience since the present arrangement of importing petroleum products for local consumption have grave negative economic consequences.  CONCLUSION Fellow Comrades, Distinguished Guests, Veterans, ladies and gentlemen of the Press, kindly permit me at this point to use this opportunity on behalf of outgoing National Executive council to appreciate our friend, my friend and ‘co-visioneer’, the General Secretary of NUPENG, COMRADE OLAWALE O. AFOLABI (the guarantor) for his untiring efforts in ensuring that the Next Level ship sailed ashore. Same appreciation goes to all other staff of the union rank and file for their steadfastness and loyalty to the course of the union. Lastly and again, I welcome you to this august occasion and wish you journey mercies on your return to your various destinations at the conclusion of the business session of this conference. Thank you for your rapt attention and may God bless us all! Thank you!!!  
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December 1, 2021
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NUPENG SUSPENDS PLANNED NATION-WIDE STRIKE

PRESS RELEASE NUPENG SUSPENDS PLANNED NATION-WIDE STRIKE The leadership of our great Union hereby suspends the planned nation-wide strike over some unfair labor behavior of some companies in the industry following the successful conclusion of various interventions and engagements with government agencies and institutions, most especially the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC). Some of the resolutions from these engagements include: 1- The commencement of the processes to clear all the backlogs of arrears of salaries and allowances owed Contract workers of OML 42 and NAOC before the end of December 2021. 2- The agreement and firm commitment to pay a sum of N2,130,000 to each of the former employees of the big six Contractors whose terminal benefits were short paid in 2012 following the closure of the Contract. 3- The agreement and firm commitment to pay each of the former contract employees of Ykish and Muyideen one Month Gross Salary per each year served as terminal benefits. The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) appreciate the excellent roles Mallam Mele Kyari, ( Group Managing Director- NNPC) and his wonderful team of highly professional individuals, played in positively resolving the impasse. NNPC management has once again proven to the Union and the nation in general that it can be trusted in matter of ensuring decency of employment and peaceful industrial relations system in the Nigeria Oil and Gas industry. On behalf of the entire rank and file members of our great Union, we promise to reciprocate this commendable effort with hitch-free and effective distribution of Petroleum Products and other Oil and Gas operations to the nation during the forthcoming festive period. We also wish to appreciate all our members for their continued commitment and loyalty to Union Cause. There is no doubt that our solidarity remains constant as the Union makes us strong! SIGNED:
COMRADE (PRINCE) WILLIAMS AKPOREHA PRESIDENT- NUPENG
COMRADE AFOLABI OLAWALE GENERAL SECRETARY-NUPENG
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November 25, 2021
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PRESS RELEASE

NUPENG EXTENDS NATION-WIDE STRIKE ULTIMATUM BY SEVEN DAYS Following the various interventions and engagements with government agencies and institutions, most especially the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation on the 14 days ultimatum issued by the Union, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has graciously decided to extend the 14-day ultimatum given to the federal government which is expected to terminate on Monday 29th November 2021 by 7 days from the initial terminal date of Monday, November 29, 2021. Though these issues concerning the welfare of our members and unfair labour practices by some oil majors are yet to be fully resolved by these engagements, the leadership of the Union is still exercising further patience and restraint to give the on-going discussions the chances of resolving these issues once and for all. The decision of the Union to give another seven-day ultimatum should not be misconstrued as a sign of capitulation or weakness but a concrete demonstration of our resolve not to inflict unnecessary pains on Nigerians or create any form of artificial scarcity of Petroleum Products It is our hope that the Federal government and all other concerned entities will take advantage of the extension to do the needful and save the nation the pains and losses our industrial action would bring. We urge our members to remain calm and await further directives as our solidarity remains constant. Signed: COMRADE AFOLABI OLAWALE NUPENG General Secretary
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November 15, 2021
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PRESS RELEASE

PRESS STATEMENT

NUPENG ISSUE A 14-DAY ULTIMATUM WITH EFFECT

FROM MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Arising from the Special National Delegates Conference of our Union convened on Thursday 11th November 2021 to amend some clauses of our Constitution, we write to convey to the general public and all relevant government agencies the resolution of the Special National Delegates Conference to issue a 14-day notice of a nationwide industrial action if some legitimate welfare and Membership related issues that have been variously resolved in our Favour even by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment are not adequately and conclusively addressed and resolved within the next fourteen days. This Ultimatum takes effect from Monday 15th, November, 2021. Some of these issues include; 1. The outstanding short payment of terminal benefits to our members that were declared redundant in 2012 by the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited. For the records, these benefits were in line with the subsisting Collective Bargaining Agreement as at the time these workers were laid off. This fact has been severally established but Chevron management unscrupulously short paid these workers and locked them out of its premises. 2. In similar manner, Chevron management also terminated the employment of Contract workers in MUYIDEEN (Labour Contractor) and YKISH (Labour Contractor) because these workers consented to join the Union and when the employment of these workers who have variously put in between 10 to 20 years in continuous employment was terminated, no single kobo has been paid to them as terminal benefits. 3. There is also the matter concerning PYRAMMIDT workers, who for more than 20 years now being moved from one Labour Contractor to another without conditions of service and Union representation/ recognition. The struggle for the unionization of these has spanned several years with workers remaining resolute to be members of NUPENG.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment also ruled that the Contractor should accede to the demands of the workers to belong to NUPENG after receiving the report of the Visitation Panel sent by the Ministry to the workplace to determine the nature of work and services these workers are rendering. Several members of these workers have left jobs after several years through old age or death and they left without any terminal benefits to show for several years of services.
4. Contract workers working in OML 42 of NPDC are being continuously owed salaries and allowances for upwards of 8 to 10 months and every efforts to make management of NPDC and the Contractors do the needful on the pitiable plights of these hapless workers haven’t received any meaningful attention and actions. Nigeria Agip Oil Company and its Contractors are also owing Contracts Workers’ salaries and allowances for upwards of 10 months. These Workers are being denied salaries and allowances on very inhuman and wicked excuses that the Contractors are yet to fulfill certain due process, yet this due process is not stopping NAOC from exploiting the skills and sweats of these Nigerians for profits while the workers and their families are wallowing in hardship and poverty. In similar manner, NAOC has since early 2020 being using the excuse of COVID-19 to keep several of our members away from work while using casual/daily paid workers to do their work even while there is a subsisting contract. The Special National Delegates Conference in session noted with deep disappointment that despite the fact that these issues have been tabled before different government agencies/institutions and they have been resolved, the decisions remain unimplemented while our members keep suffering in excruciating jeopardy. It was therefore resolved and directed, that these issues do not require any further meetings or negotiations but decisive actions and implementation of all established issues within the period of our notice to all concerned.
Our Solidarity remains Constant!! for the Union makes us Strong!!!
SIGNED COMRADE (PRINCE) WILLIAMS AKPOREHA                   NUPENG PRESIDENT      COMRADE OLAWALE AFOLABI NUPENG GENERAL SECRETARY  
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November 11, 2020
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Shell workers determined to overcome Covid-19 challenges:

At IndustriALL’s 6th Shell union network meeting, workers from over 15 countries came together virtually to discuss how trends and developments in the sector and the Covid-19 pandemic impact workers at Shell operations. Read more: http://www.industriall-union.org/shell-workers-determined-to-overcome-covid-19-challenges
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October 17, 2020
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HURRAY! HURRAY!! VICTORY TO THE UNION

You will recall our long drawn battles and struggles to get terminal benefits for Thirty-Nine (39) Union members whose employment were terminated dubiously by Mr ADOLOR of Valiant Energy Services West Africa and who had for several months been so evasive and elusive to be held responsible for the payment of the final entitlements of these workers until the Union smoked him out with our collective struggle. I am very pleased to inform you all, that finally, we have been able to secure firm agreement (witnessed to by GM Services of NAPIMS and guaranteed by SHELL management) for the payment of the entire final entitlements of the Thirty-Nine (39) and all the crew members currently on the Rig of FRIGG under Valiant Energy Services employment including all the catering staff. This struggle was won after what appears to be the longest strike on any rig platform in Nigeria. The strike lasted fifteen (15) good days with victory at last... The negotiation for this landmark agreement was executed in the most professional manner under the able leadership of our national President, Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha. We use this opportunity to appreciate the support of the DSS, Federal Ministry of Labour, NAPIMS and the management of SHELL. We also appreciate Staff that spent sleepless nights to make this happened. This victory is for all of us and the working masses. Thank you all.
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October 1, 2020
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NUPENG INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE

The National President of NUPENG worldwide, Comrade Williams Akporeha felicitate and salute our members on this auspicious occasion of 60 years of the nation's independence day anniversary. He wishes all members a happy new month too and that our struggles will not be in vain. The leadership calls on all members to be cautious with the insecurity in the land and be safety conscious. He wants members to continue to observe all the covid-19 protocols as it is not yet uhuru.
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August 23, 2020
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NUPENG DENIES MEETING WITH CHEVRON OVER STRIKE ULTIMATUM

PRESS STATEMENT: NUPENG DENIES MEETING WITH CHEVRON OVER STRIKE ULTIMATUM The leadership of NUPENG has disassociated itself from a purpoted report that it held a meeting with CHEVRON management over the 7-day strike ultimatum issued over sacking of some of its members. The union states that there was no such meeting and therefore the strike ultimatum remained intact. The union urges it's members nationwide to ignore the report, continue to be on red alert and mobilize for the impending strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum and should all be at red alert. Signed: Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha National President. Comrade Afolabi Olawale General Secretary.
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July 13, 2020
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PRESS STATEMENT

NUPENG AND PENGASSAN STRONGLY REACT TO COMMENTS BY MINISTER OF STATE FOR PETROLEUM RESOURCES, TIMIPRE SYLVA ON REFINERIES AND OIL AND GAS WORKERS

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April 24, 2020
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Honourable Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammad retract his statement about the killing of our member

Great NUPENG, as demanded, the Honourable Minister of Information has retracted his statement about the killing of our member on the same media platform he used yesterday.
  He also affirmed that the prosecution of the culprit trigger happy mobile policeman has commenced. We shall continue to press for compensation for the victim’s family. An injury to one is an injury to all. And our Solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong!
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April 23, 2020
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Mr. Lai Mohammed Lied to the Nation on the Killing of Petrol Station Worker in Abia State

PRESS STATEMENT: Mr. Lai Mohammed Lied to the Nation on the Killing of Petrol Station Worker in Abia State The National Leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) strongly condemns the uncharitable and very provocative lie of the Honourable Minister of Information on the national network television to the whole world on the facts concerning the killing of one of our members, Comrade Chibuisi Chikezie Okameme, aged 26, a petrol station worker in Abia State who was killed by a mobile Policeman whilst discharging his legitimate duties as Petrol station worker and in the frontline of the struggle against the COVID 19 pandemic on Sunday 5th April 2020. The Union takes seriously exception to this blatant lie and dishonorable attempt to twist the fact of the incident. For the record, the Police man in question is currently in detention, he has made confessional statement to the dastardly acts and postmortem carried out on the deceased wherein bullet wound was identified and specimen of bullet removed from his body. We find this lie to be very callous, wicked and uncalled for. We wonder how an elderly person and a Minister of the Federal Republic will be lying against the dead. Mr. Lai Mohammed is definitely not fit to hold such an exalted office of an Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We demand the following on this matter; 1- Immediate retraction of the lie on the same media platform he used to lie to everyone. 2-Removal or resignation of Mr. Lai Mohammed as a Minister of the Federal Republic. 3-Immediate prosecution of the Mobile Police man involved. 4-Immediate payment of compensation to the family of the deceased by the Federal Government. Our demands must be met within seven (7) days from today Thursday, 23 April, 2020. To clear this wicked lie of Mr. Lai Mohammed, we implore the Nigeria media to visit No 29/30, Greenmac Energy Limited in new Umuahia road, Aba, in Abia State for proper and diligent interview of the family of the deceased, his Employer,the Abia State Police Command and other witnesses to the killing. Our Union takes lives of our members very serious and precious and we shall do all we can to get justice. NUPENG also uses this medium to appeal to our members across the country who have been saddened and devastated by this wicked lie against the dead to still be patient, continue to render their services to the nation and exercise restraints until the National Secretariat of the Union issue further directives which may come sooner than later. The Union calls on all well meaning Nigerians and all other social partners globally to rise in one accord to condemn the callous and wicked lie of Mr. Lai Mohammed against the dead just because the dead worker is no more living to defend himself. Mr. Lai Mohammed should remember however, that the call from beyond gives no warning and we shall all be held accountable one day even if it is not here on this earth. Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong! Signed: National President of NUPENG, Comrade (Prince) Williams Eniredonana Akporeha, General Secretary of NUPENG, Comrade Afolabi Olawale.
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