Baru Commends Oil Workers Over Averted Nationwide Strike

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has commended the leaderships of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) for their roles in the prompt resolution of the recently averted planed industrial action.

‘’I wish to register my appreciation to the present Executives of NUPENG. Together with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), you have collectively created an atmosphere of industrial harmony in NNPC and by extension, the entire Oil and Gas industry, the GMD said in a statement.

” You have shown great understanding at the critical moments in the course of our operations. I thank you for the cordial relationship that has defined our association”, he said.

The NNPC GMD made this disclosure at the 4^thQuadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), NNPC Group Executive Council in Abuja.

Dr. Baru pointed out that both unions have demonstrated uncommon commitment to the vision of the NNPC Management in ensuring steady and uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country.

Speaking on the topic: “NNPC NUPENG Branch: Redefining the Trajectory of Trade Unionism,”the NNPC Boss expressed satisfaction that unionism at the NNPC has moved away from confrontation, strikes and threats of industrial actions to pragmatic consultations.

He commended the foresight of the union leaders on the choice of the conference theme, “Living with Change – PIGB and the Aftermath for the Oil and Gas Sector Workers”, stressing that early agreement by the relevant arms of government on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would impact greatly on the activities of the Oil and Gas Sector.

The NNPC GMD praised the oil workers for their courage to embrace change, a phenomenon which he described as a difficult endeavour for a leader to undertake.