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?The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)?has appealed to the Federal Government to pay the 2012 petroleum subsidy arrears to ensure peace and industrial harmony in the country.
The president of the union, Mr Igwe Achese, who briefed journalists in Lagos on Monday, said that the continuous delay in the payment of the money had impacted negatively on workers in the oil and gas sector.
“Government said it had paid about N400 billion as subsidy arrears for 2011 and 2012, and from Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s explanation, N200 billion was paid in excess as subsidy arrears.
“We are worried that there was selective payment as the real depot owners have yet to be paid because their workers are being owed.
“We urge the government to announce the names of those that had been paid the subsidy arrears because those who have investments and employees in the sector have yet to receive any money,’’ Achese said.
He said that?NUPENG was open to dialogue to resolve the issues, but warned that the union would call a nationwide strike if the subsidy money was not paid in time.
The union president expressed concern about the diversion of crude oil meant for the refineries, which he alleged, was?now being sold in the open market.
“That is why we are calling on government to begin the Turn-Around-Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries, to boost fuel supply in the country,’’ he said.
Achese also reiterated the need to repair the nation's roads, especially those in the East-West area, to ensure steady supply of petroleum products.
“We may be forced to stop?transporting products?on bad roads in the country because petrol and kerosene are volatile products and we cannot continue to expose the people to the risks involved.?
“What the country generates from the petroleum sector is enough to take care of our roads and infrastructure,’’ he said.
On casualisation of workers, the union leader condemned the inhuman treatment meted out to workers in some of the Oil and Gas companies.
“We have raised an alarm about what some?Nigerians that work for some companies in the sector?are suffering. After 25 years of service, they are sacked without pension and paid only one month salary,’’ he said.
Achese, therefore, urged government to take an urgent decision on the issue, to stem the abuse of workers in the oil and gas companies. (NAN)