The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has admonished the Nigerian government on the need to do more in ensuring job security and socio-economic empowerment of Nigerians. It said by so doing, life would be more meaningful and abundant, hence cut down in defiant behaviour among the citizenry.
It, however, vowed not to rest on its oars in defending and promoting the rights and privileges of oil and gas workers in Nigeria.
The National President, Williams Akporeha, disclosed this in a chat with Financial Street on Sunday.
“We are also using this platform to admonish government in this post COVID-19 era that while people are gradually adjusting to the new normal, Nigerian government needs to do more in facilitating citizens’ vaccination and ensure job security and socio-economic empowerment of Nigerians so that life could be more meaningful and abundant, hence promote sharp decline in defiant behaviour.
“NUPENG, as trustee of posterity, will continue to serve as a pillar of strength for our members and the working people as we brave the challenges and storms, working together with other patriots to build a dynamic, strong, united and prosperous nation where decency of employment will flourish and prevail,” he warned.
Akporeha also expressed concern that the nation was in a state of war, and implored the Federal Government to rise to the occasion by providing the citizenry adequate security.
“And in a very strong term, the leadership of our union calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to rise up to the occasion by providing for the security of the lives of the citizens, as it is its primary and constitutional responsibility. From all indications, the country is in a state of war and no one should pretend otherwise. The government must seek help immediately because it is becoming very apparent that the situation has overwhelmed it,” he said.
He expressed sadness that so many had died as a result.
“The leadership of our union commiserates with working people that have lost a loved one or the other, to the cold hands of death as a result of the senseless killings going on in the country today. We pray that God Almighty will console them and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.”
He reiterated that the high level of insecurity has worsened the economic situation of the country, and urged the elite to rise up to the occasion and save the nation from total collapse.
