Job losses, rights suppression threatening oil workers — NUPENG

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has warned that job losses and suppression of workers’ rights are worsening in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Outgoing NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, gave the warning in his valedictory address at the union’s 6th Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Lagos at the weekend.

He said the removal of fuel subsidy had hurt many workers, particularly those in the informal sector.

Referring to the removal of fuel subsidy, Akporeha said, “We cannot ignore its reverberating impacts. Many of our members, especially in the informal sector, have lost livelihoods.”

He stressed that while reforms such as the promotion of gas as a transition fuel were necessary, they must not come at the expense of workers.

“This transition must be just and fair. We appeal to the government to reskill, retrain and fund our members for a just transition,” he declared.

Akporeha expressed concern that workers were increasingly being excluded from key policy decisions affecting their welfare.

“Sadly, the union was not adequately carried along in planning,” he said, warning that such exclusion could worsen tensions across the industry.

The NUPENG President also alleged rising cases of unfair labour practices, particularly attempts to weaken union membership among workers.

“Drivers were recruited under restrictive conditions, forced to sign undertakings against union membership. This is a direct violation of the Constitution, the Labour Act, and international labour standards. NUPENG remains resolute on this matter. We will pursue every lawful avenue to ensure that workers enjoy their full rights to union representation and collective bargaining,” he said.

On the broader state of the industry, Akporeha warned of a growing climate of insecurity and economic strain affecting members nationwide.

“Our members now spend more to secure their businesses. Incidents of petroleum truck hijacking and kidnapping have risen sharply,” he noted.

He also flagged deteriorating road conditions as a compounding challenge.

“Many economic roads still remain in impassable conditions. Our members bear horrible challenges in distributing petroleum products across the country,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Akporeha highlighted achievements recorded during his administration, including improved welfare packages, expansion of union branches, and infrastructure development.

“I came, I saw, and together we conquered, not for personal glory, but for the dignity of every man and woman who powers this nation,” he said.

He ended with a strong call to action for both government and industry stakeholders.

“Justice and power must always rest with the working class. Protecting jobs and upholding workers’ rights must remain central to all reforms in the oil and gas sector,” he declared.

NUPENG is one of Nigeria’s most powerful trade unions, representing workers in the downstream oil and gas sector, including tanker drivers, petrol station attendants, and other workers involved in the distribution and retail of petroleum products.

NUPENG, alongside the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, known as PENGASSAN, has historically wielded significant industrial leverage, with its strike actions capable of triggering nationwide fuel shortages. successive governments. Nigerian Applicants