The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engineer Maikanti Kacalla Baru, has called on members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to continue to seek the growth and existence of the nation’s oil and gas industry.
The NNPC helmsman gave the charge during the 5th Triennial Delegates Conference of PENGASSAN NNPC Corporate Headquarter (CHQ) Branch in Abuja last week.
According to the NNPC GMD, the branch has demonstrated great deal of responsibility worthy of emulation by other trade unions.
Engr. Baru, who congratulated the Branch Executive Council (BEC) and members of the branch on their delegates conference, noted the NNPC management recognised the branch unrelented commitment to the development of oil and gas industry.
“The management admire the maturity of PENGASSAN in dealing with issues and we are not surprised that PENGASSAN has moved unionism to another level where dialogue and intelligent argument supersede force and banging of table.
“We do not only see PENGASSAN as partners of progress but the wheel of progress. Going forward, we will like to see PENGASSAN that for the growth and existence of the industry but not only for its members welfare,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PENGASSAN President, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, urged the NNPC to call some indigenous operators and International Oil Companies (IOCs) that indulge in anti-labour practices to order.
According to him, the need to caution the oil companies is pertinent before they thrown the industry into unnecessary crisis.
He said, “The main objective of the PENGASSAN is to safeguard and improve the rights, terms and conditions of employment of its members through labour and industrial relations processes.
“However, the Association has continued to encounter difficulties with certain indigenous operators and IOCs. We will like the NNPC Management to call these companies to order before their anti-labour practices throw the industry into unnecessary crisis,” he said.
Comrade Johnson noted that the Association’s constitution is the guide that binds members together, adding, “Therefore, we expect all Branches and members to abide and respect the Constitution that determines how noble our Association will be in the eyes of our members and general public.
He explained that adherence to constitutional provisions and best practices in labour engagement is crucial to the maintenance of cohesion and discipline, saying any breach will not be tolerated.
The PENGASSAN President commanded the NNPC management for supporting the Association in all its activities.
He also lauded the GMD for playing a noteworthy role in the JV Cash Call resolution and for making the depots at Ilorin, Ore, Mosimi, Aba, Gombe, Ibadan, Calabar and Kaduna to be fully functional.
