The much anticipated meeting between the Federal Government and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday was inconclusive.
Though international oil companies were absent from the meeting, however, it recorded substantial gains as it lasted for several hours.
Most of the issues for discourse were stalled because some critical issues bordering on job security of oil workers could not be deliberated upon .
Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngigie, who briefed newsmen at the end of the meeting said that, “we had a wonderful meeting, good meeting. We provided PENGASSAN with very useful information on issues that they needed clarification. The issues as you know range from JVC cash calls.
They felt because the federal government has not paid and so was making the IOCs not to invest more and closing down and laying down workers.
The minister explained that out of the several issue tabled for discussion, only one could not be resolved and was thus brought forward for today.
He however, expressed optimism that PENGASSAN will hold its NEC today to end the strike.
-Emmanuel Ikechukwu
