Federal Government through the Minister of Labour and Employment,Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, has summoned the management of Dangote group and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, to an emergency meeting on Monday, September 8, in efforts to halt the planned nationwide strike over alleged anti-union policy among others.
The oil workers have already announced a commencement of a total strike from Monday, which has been endorsed by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.
Meanwhile, NLC has written to its over 54 affiliates and 36 councils to prepare to join the strike, saying the battle, among others, is the survival of Labour movement and dignity of workers.
In a statement made made available to Newsmen earlier, the minister,Dingyadi stated:
“The petroleum sector is very important to this country. It constitutes the core of the country’s economy. A strike in the petroleum sector, even for just a day, will have an adverse consequential impact on the economy. It will not only lead to heavy revenue losses by the country, running into billions of Naira, but also cause untold hardship and difficulties for Nigerians.
“Hence, I plead with the unions to give peace a chance. I assure them that this matter will be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all the parties involved,” Dingyadi stated.
The minister also assured Nigerians that the dispute will be resolved harmoniously to ensure that no disruption occurs in the petroleum sector, which is vital to the Nigerian economy.
The petroleum sector is very important to this country. It constitutes the core of the country’s economy. A strike in the petroleum sector, even for just a day, will have an adverse consequential impact on the economy. It will not only lead to heavy revenue losses by the country, running into billions of Naira, but also cause untold hardship and difficulties for Nigerians.
“Hence, I plead with the unions to give peace a chance. I assure them that this matter will be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all the parties involved,” Dingyadi stated.
The minister also assured Nigerians that the dispute will be resolved harmoniously to ensure that no disruption occurs in the petroleum sector, which is vital to the Nigerian economy.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama