NUPENG: Nationwide strike on hold

The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers said it had put hold the nationwide strike the union members scheduled to commence on Thursday August 23, 2012. The President of the union, Mr. Achese Igwe, who made the announcement after a meeting with federal government, said the ongoing strike in Abuja would however continue.

The meeting between NUPENG, representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and government, took place in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

 Those present at the meeting included the SGF, Senator Pius Anyim; Minister of Labour, Mr. Emeka Wogu; Minister State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Mr. Tunji Olaopa; acting President of the NLC, Comrade Promise Adewusi; NLC Deputy President, Comrade Joe Ajaero; NUPENG President, Comrade Igwe Achese; Secretary General, TUC, Comrade John Kolawole; and some representatives of petroleum tank farms.

 At the meeting, the parties agreed that the status quo shall remain until negotiations are concluded. The implication is that fuel scarcity in Abuja would remain unresolved while the union would hold off halting supply of petroleum products to other parts of the country.

NUPENG had threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the government refused to pay subsidy claims of marketers. The union had on Thursday last week started an industrial action in the Federal Capital Territory. The strike has led to fuel scarcity in the FCT.