The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers yesterday handed down a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to prevail on exuding multinational oil conglomerates in the country to stop mass retrenchment of oil workers.
National President of NUPENG, Mr Igwe Achese, stated this at the end of a meeting of the union’s Central Working Committee held in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
He listed some of the moving oil companies including Chevron, ExxonMobil, Pan Ocean and Ground Petroleum who he said were pulling out of the country following the economic recession, which had led to the sacking of about 3,000 oil workers.
To him, “It’s painful to say, as I address you, Chevron has wound up in the East and its offices closed. A total of 1,500 workers were sacked without their entitlements and nobody is saying anything. As we speak, many companies have left and many others are winding up.
“Many oil companies are winding up including ExxonMobil, Pan Ocean, Sapiem Ground Petroleum, and Hercules Offshore Nigeria Limited in Warri. About 3,000 workers have already been sacked by various oil companies. The Federal Government should act fast to avert further loss of jobs in the country,” he said.
Achese said, “NUPENG will take all necessary actions to drive home its demand if the FG fails to act in 21 days. We want the FG to intervene within the 21 days to stop further loss of jobs nationwide. We are 100 per cent in support of the anti-corruption fight, but there must be respect for Nigerians.
“Right now, our members and even those in other sectors are no longer able to pay school fees of their children and even afford rents. Worse still, those being sacked now are so treated without any commitment to proper terminal benefits.”
Federal Government has not responded but sources say, government may call an emergency meeting with the oil firms before the end of next week to see how the crisis can be averted on time.
