PTD to NUPENG: “We Won’t Fuel Industrial Crisis or Support Strike
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has strongly criticized its parent body’s strike threats in response to the alleged deployment of troops that reportedly dispersed union members from the Oritsetimeyin oil rig.
PTD reassured Nigerians and stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector that it would use all available means to prevent NUPENG from executing its strike threat, which could further damage the nation’s economy and exacerbate hardship and hunger.
The union emphasized that Tanker Drivers would not oppose the progressive policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration or act against the government under the current NUPENG leadership.
Comrade Chief Joseph Dagogo-Jack (JP), a leader from the Port Harcourt Zone of PTD, made this statement in Abuja on Friday, November 8, 2024, during a press briefing at Top Rank Galaxy Hotel.
Dagogo-Jack urged PTD members nationwide to continue their duties in support of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the oil sector.
“What NUPENG is currently facing at the Oritsetimeyin oil rig is a result of the failure and lack of direction by its current leadership, particularly the office of the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale. This leadership has taken PTD members to court with the intention of imprisoning them, dismissed secretariat staff on fabricated charges, demoted staff, suspended several members, disobeyed court orders, and has been repeatedly cited for contempt of court. This leadership lacks prudence, discipline, transparency, accountability, and is characterized by high-handedness.
“This leadership has undermined all the branches under NUPENG. It is the same leadership struggling for national relevance and attempting to fight for workers at the rig whose fundamental rights were violated. NUPENG cannot achieve anything positive until it addresses its internal issues and allows PTD to operate freely. It needs urgent introspection and restitution and must recognize the leadership legitimacy of the PTD group led by Comrade Lucky Osesua and his team.
“It is evident that NUPENG has failed to cater to the needs and interests of its members across the board. It now views the Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) as a threat to its existence, as ADITOP is prepared to offer Tanker Drivers a better deal with a robust Collective Bargaining Agreement, security of tenure, protection from health and safety hazards, and relevant training on health and safety, among other benefits. NUPENG has failed to provide these over the years and has only seen PTD as a cash cow, impoverishing its members through its policies and programs. NUPENG must understand the beauty of democracy and cannot continue to monopolize freedom of association and assembly in the oil and gas sector. Our constitution is clear on this.
“We reiterate that PTD is a recognized association with its own core objectives. We appeal to security agencies to assist and work amicably with our members at all times. Our members should know that PTD will soon call for a national executive council meeting to address internal issues and regularize our activities.
“We call on all national executive members, both past and present, to unite and ensure an amicable resolution and smooth operation of PTD. Without peace and unity, the association cannot move forward. The national chairman, Lucky Osesua, his deputies Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Comrade (Chief) Peter Moudebelu (Onwa), the national secretary, Humble Power Obinna, and other PTD executives are ready to work with everyone. We extend an olive branch to the opposition to contribute to the growth of PTD.
“I assure the Nigerian people that we mean well for the country and will never inflict pain or injury on the masses. Although we are concerned about the actions of some overzealous security personnel, we believe that dialogue can maintain industrial harmony and peace within the petroleum industry value chain. Workers’ rights and the sanctity of negotiated agreements at the Oritsetimeyin oil rig should not be compromised under any guise.
“It must be noted that PTD cannot, through our actions, add to the current hardship and hunger experienced by vulnerable Nigerians by engaging in industrial tension under a fragile and weak economy. It would be irresponsible and unpatriotic of us to join NUPENG in any needless strike at this time,” Dagogo-Jack stated.
