Ngige: Minister of labour

Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen.Chris Ngige has called on the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to call off its ongoing industrial action in the interest of the nation.

“Strike neither solves industrial disputes nor contributes to industrial growth. Our economy is already reeling from severe hemorrhage occasioned by decade long mismanagement. Further action, which stunts the efforts currently being made to reverse the trend, should therefore be shunned.

“A situation where oil workers leave their offices and oil loading base will not make for an increase in oils export nor assist make available, enough petroleum products in this time of deregulation.

“This will only compound the vandalisation in the Niger Delta, occasioning low output and export in our OPEC quota, apart from the unwarranted hardship on the populace,” Ngige said in a statement issued on his behalf by Samuel Olowookere, deputy director, press in the Ministry.

“The time therefore calls for more patriotism more so when negotiations have already been kick started with PENGASSAN and International Oil Companies (IOCs) on most of the areas especially the issue of cash calls and arbitrary sack of personnel,” says Sen. Ngige today in Abuja.

“The Federal Government therefore urges PENGASSAN to urgently call off the strike so that all sides will freely negotiate.  I am very optimistic that when we sit for negotiation on Monday, July 11, issues that have led to the situation on the ground will be resolved in the greater interest of the nation,” the Minister added.

He further urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying of petroleum products.