Abduction/killing of oil workers: PENGASSAN threatens strike

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) declared yesterday that it will direct its members to withdraw their services and commence a strike action over the resurgence of kidnapping  and  killing of oil workers in the Niger Delta area.
Against this backdrop, the association had written President Goodluck Jonathan, asking for his immediate intervention.
The same letter was also sent to the Minister of Labour & Productivity, the Minister of Petroleum,  the Minister of Interior, the Inspector General of Police (IG), the National Security Adviser to the President, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, the Director- General of SSS and the Rivers State governor.
The letter read in part:”Mr President, as a strategic stakeholder in the oil and gas industry, we earnestly implore you to intervene by providing adequate security and safety for our members and other workers in the industry to avert an impending strike that may throw the oil and gas industry and the nation’s economy at large into crisis,” the association told President Jonathan.
The letter continued: “Workers’ fundamental right to life, right to mobility and right to work without fear of victimisation/molestation is again being challenged. Opinion is that the Federal Government and states in the Niger Delta have relaxed their intelligence, security and law enforcement responsibility that have given room to renewed hostage taking for ransom.
“With the resurging threats to the oil and gas industry, the International Oil Companies (IOCs) have issued security alert and warnings to their employees. As  labour union, we will equally not shy away from our moral and constitutional role to direct our members to take cover accordingly.”
“This may possibly lead to the withdrawal of service until the government and the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies ensure appropriate safety and security of lives as required.”
The letter, signed by the General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Comrade Bayo Olowoshile, and entitled: Abduction and heinous killing of oil workers: Disturbing resurgence of threats to oil and gas operations, security and safety, further read: “Recently, two contractors were taken from the creeks, the wife of an SPDC staff was abducted from her poultry farm and another staff member was abducted and subsequently assassinated while on private business.”
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