The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has suspended its planned nationwide industrial action consequent to an intervention by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
NUPENG had planned to down tool and commence a nationwide strike in agitation to oblige Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, to respect the agreement it vowed to undertake with the Union on June 20.
Announcing the strike suspension yesterday, Prince Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, the president and the secretary General of NUPENG respectively, informed members to abort the idea of a strike and go about their normal duties.
The Union further informed Nigerians that “there is no cause for alarm” that people should relax and promised a steady supply of petroleum product throughout the country.
The statement reads in part: “The National leadership of (NUPENG) wishes to direct/ inform the rank and file members of the Union and the general public respectively that due to intervention of Mallam Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director (GMD) NNPC and his management team to prevent the planned industrial action of NUPENG over the deliberate breach of agreement reached with the Union by Chevron Nigeria and its Contractor while considering the fact that appreciable progress is being made as discussions continue, that the Union hereby suspends with immediate effect the planned industrial action slated for next week.
It shall be noted that the prompt suspension of the planned action was largely in respect of intervention of NNPC after lengthy deliberation with critical stakeholders in two separate meetings, i.e Thursday and Friday 2nd August 2019 in an effort to find a common ground for the two groups.
According to Akporeha, all members are by this statement directed to disregard the RED ALERT message and continue their daily routine of providing services to Nigerians, while urging the general public to ignore panic as steady supply will is guaranteed.
Meanwhile, talking is still ongoing between the two groups i.e NUPENG and CNL for both parties to honour their agreement.
