The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, repair all national roads and put in shape the four refineries, insisting that it would embark on strike if government fails to take action.
This was disclosed by the National President, Comrade Achese Igwe, yesterday at a press conference held at Jibowu,Lagos.
According to him, “We call on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the comatose refineries by rehabilitating them and also repair all national roads that are deathtraps. If government turns deaf ear to our plea, we will embark on strike without notice.”
He went on: “Some of the Ministers in the federal cabinet are not in support of the transformation plan or have the same motive with the President to move the country forward.”
NUPENG also used the medium to commiserate with families that lost their loved ones in motor accidents due to bad roads, calling on both the National Assembly and the Federal Government to expedite action or stop lifting fuel.
The union also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to repair the four refineries that are in a state of comatose before privatisation. “We are told that government is making a move to privatise the refineries but it must make it work first before embarking on privatisation.
“Refineries are not working and the product is being diverted to open market for sale, we say enough is enough,” he concluded.
NUPENG also asked the government after report on fuel subsidy probe to resume the payment of subsidy.
The President while speaking, added, “Government put a hold on the payment of fuel subsidy because it paid excess money but now that thorough investigation has been carried out, it should commence the payment.”
NUPENG also complained on contractors workers who are yet to receive their pension fund, saying SHELL should intervene and pay up the money.