Government moves to avert nationwide strike

March 25th, 2009

Abuja (Nigeria) — The Federal Government is taking steps to avert the nationwide industrial action threatened by labour over government's decision to deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry.

Organised labour including the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had threatened to mobilise their members on an industrial action if the Federal Government failed to rescind its decision on the full deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

National Security Adviser, Abubakar Mukhtar, has consequently invited the leaders of the unions to an emergency meeting in Abuja today to address the issues leading to the threat. THISDAY gathered that the meeting which will have in attendance some state governors, all service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police will provide a platform for all parties to rub minds and avert the strike which was scheduled to begin with mass rallies last Friday.

"Following preliminary discussions with the leaders of NUPENG, TUC and PENGASSAN it appeared there had been some communication gaps between the unions and relevant government departments that should have engaged them in order to amicably resolve the issues raised in their communique of March 2, 2009.

"It is therefore my considered opinion that a meeting of all stakeholders should be convened in which issues brought forward by the unions could be put on the table for open and objective discussion in order to arrive at a mutually agreed position.

Having agreed to meet with the unions unconditionally, I would appeal to them to reciprocate this gesture by cancelling their proposed rallies scheduled to commence from Friday, March 20, 2009," the letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser inviting the unions read.

 

source.This Day (Nigeria)