The
meeting between representatives of the Federal Government and oil workers in
Abuja on Monday was inconclusive as both groups agreed to continue
deliberations today (Tuesday).
As
a result, the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by members of the
Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria since Thursday is
still in force.
Although
some resolutions were reached by both groups at the meeting, the Minister of
Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, told journalists that there was an
outstanding matter that was not settled and this was due to the absence of the
international oil companies at the meeting.
Apart
from Ngige, the meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for
Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; the Senior Special Assistant to the
President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang; officials
from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation; leaders of PENGASSAN
as well as their counterparts in the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Workers.
Explaining
why the meeting would have to continue on Tuesday, Ngige said, “We only have
one matter outstanding and that matter will be addressed tomorrow because the IOCs
were not here.”
The
minister stated that there were allegations against the IOCs that many of them
retrenched workers unfairly without following stipulated labour rules.
He
said, “There are allegations of unfair labour practices like laying people off without
going through the normal redundancy clauses, and even firing people who are
official members of unions. We felt it is not very just, people cannot be
slaves because they are working.
“So,
that meeting will be held in my office tomorrow (Tuesday) and an amicable
solution will be found. Tomorrow (Tuesday), we also expect PENGASSAN to hold
their NEC meeting, and thereafter tell Nigerians what they think.”
Ngige
stated that the government provided PENGASSAN with very useful information on
issues that needed clarification.
Some
of the issues, he said, included the matter of joint venture cash calls;
appointments in selected agencies under the Federal Ministry of Petroleum
Resources; and the Petroleum Industry Bill.
He
said, “On the state of the nation, we briefed them because they are Nigerians.
They complained that their members were being killed and the Department of
State Security addressed the issue and they were quite satisfied.
“We
also looked at the issue of corruption and the Office of the Attorney General
of the Federation briefed us on what is being done. On the PIB, the Senior
Special Assistant to the President, Ita Enang, gave us a proper elucidation on
where the bill stands today and everybody was satisfied. We fashioned out a
road map on how to get the bill alive to address the burning issues in the oil
and gas industry.”
Kachikwu,
who confirmed that the meeting would be concluded on Tuesday, noted that
participants agreed that roads leading to refineries and fuel depots should be
fixed.
He
said, “In terms of construction of the roads leading to the refineries, we will
take up the issue with the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. Someone was
here to represent our colleague, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who wasn’t around, and
the representative gave a report.
“We
have looked at it and felt that at some point, we will sit down with the NNPC
and Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to do some form of joint funding to
provide critical infrastructure leading to refineries and depots.”
When
asked if the strike had been called off, the President of PENGASSAN, Mr.
Olabode Johnson, said the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting would determine that.
He
said, “For us, we first want to appreciate the President for the high
delegation here. We had a robust discussion and I know that the NEC members who
gave the go ahead for this strike are on their way to Abuja.
“After
the meeting tomorrow, we are going to sit together and do the needful. If we
are satisfied with the engagement, the sincerity and openness, definitely, we
will address the members of the press.”
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