Asaba – Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday in Asaba condemned the huge destruction and revenue loss to the state due to militant actions and attacks on oil facilities in the state.
Okowa made the condmnation at a three-day workshop organised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), PENGASSAN, Warri Zone.
The theme of the workshop is “Industrial Relations Practice and Collective Bargaining System Among Social Partners in the Prevailing Circumstance in the Oil and Gas Sector: Strategies for Mutually Acceptable Outcome”.
Okowa, represented by Mr Mofe Pirah, the state Commissioner for Oil and Gas, noted that Delta was the most affected by the militant actions.
He, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders to work together towards ensuring that the aggrieved Niger Delta youths embraced peace, to save the future generation from health hazards occasioned by oil spillages.
He also advised workers’ unions to adopt collective bargaining system in their demands for improved welfare for their members.
“The primary goal of collective bargaining is to forestall a situation that might lead to strikes and shut downs in the economy through proactive dialogue, negotiations and settlement.
“On the part of government, collective bargaining is worthwhile, when there is harmonious industrial relations, germane to public safety and security, and the general economic well-being of the citizenry,’’ Okowa said.
Mr Olabode Johnson, the PENGASSAN President, urged aggrieved Niger Delta youths to embrace peaceful means of resolving their grievances.
Johnson was represented by Mr Abel Agari, Lagos Zonal Chairman.
He said that the theme of the workshop was apt considering the prevailing economic recession in the country.
According to him, this critical period demands that the people should reflect on the high level of insecurity confronting oil workers and the country due to attacks on facilities.
“Let me appeal to our brothers in the Niger Delta to please cooperate with the Federal Government and embrace peaceful means of resolving their grievances.
“The resurgence of attacks on oil and gas installations is not about our country alone but also dwells on damage done to our environment.’’
Johnson said that the delay in the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was causing havoc in the oil and gas industry as well as Nigeria was losing millions of dollars daily.
The PENGASSAN president called on the government to diversify the economy, particularly the development of ancillary companies in the oil and gas industry.
“The delay in the passage of the PIB has been causing a lot of havoc in the industry; it is expedient to note that the nation loses hundreds of millions of dollars due to the delay.
“We are calling on government to, without further delay, embark on the process of putting back on stream our refineries and ensure regular and adequate supply of crude to the refineries.
“We, therefore, re-state our stand against the sale of national assets, especially those in the oil and gas industry.’’
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Wale Ladenegan, Managing Director, Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), lauded the theme of the workshop.
According to him, the current challenges in the industry demands innovative strategies for them to be solved.
“New trends and strategies need to be developed to enable the oil and gas sub-sector to survive this trying phase because I am confident that this is only a passing phase,” he said.
In an address of welcome, the Chairman, Warri Zone, Mr Stephen Ekakiti, said the workshop was organised to sensitise members on issues and current challenges affecting workers in the oil and gas industry.
Ekakiti said that the workshop which would help to build negotiating techniques among members, particularly in this auspicious time.
“There is need to expose union officials to various techniques involved in successful negotiation to maximise the gains for labour movement without jeopardising existing relationship between the association, management and the government.’’
Mr Mike Okeme, the Labour and Industrial Relations expert, said the workshop was timely and urged the association to come up with workable communiqué that could be adopted nationally, to checkmate the challenges in the industry.
He advised labour unions to always adopt collective bargaining system through round-table negotiation to ensure that all parties were satisfied at the end.
