Less than 24 hours after it began an industrial action, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has backed off following the recall of its members who were sacked by Neconde Oil.
But the agony of motorists in Lagos, Abuja and other cities across the country yesterday continued as the fuel supply situation witnessed no improvement. Nevertheless, this is goodnews to the vast majority of Nigeria who otherwise would have felt tremedous hardship during the festive season had the industrial action continued.
Communicating the latest develoment the national public relations officer of PENGASSAN, Fortune Obi, said the suspension was after the intervention of the director of DSS, Mr Lawal Daura, the minister of labour and employment, Dr Chris Ngige and the minister of state for petroleum resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.
He added that Neconde Oil Services, which allegedly sacked some PENGASSAN members, had re-absorbed those affected. According to Obi, the management of Neconde also agreed to allow a workers’ union in the company. Ngige and the union, therefore, agreed to resolve an anti-union posture by other indigenous companies and marginal field operators.
Another round of meeting where the agreement would be firmed up has been slated for the second week of January 2018.
Furthermore, the parties will be meeting again during the second week of January to consider all the contentious issues.
