The national leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its planned strike earlier billed to begin on Tuesday, August 6.
This was contained in a statement signed by its President and the Secretary, Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, respectively, issued on Friday in Lagos.
The union said it was suspending the proposed industrial action based on the intervention of the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari and his management team, adding that progress had been made even as discussion continued.
NUPENG had on Wednesday issued a seven-day strike notice to the Federal Government.
It wanted the President Muhammadu Buhari government to compel Chevron Nigeria Limited to honour the agreement it reached with the union on June 20.
It said that failing to comply, the union would direct its members to begin strike action.
However, in the statement released on Friday, the union said, “Following the intervention of the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, and his management team to avert the proposed industrial action of NUPENG over the blatant breach of agreement reached with the union by Chevron Nigeria Limited and its contractor and considering the fact that appreciable progress is being made as discussions continue, the union hereby suspends with immediate effect the planned industrial action slated for next week.
“It should be put on record that this abrupt suspension became inevitable due largely to the timely intervention of NNPC having engaged NUPENG and all concerned stakeholders at two separate meetings on Thursday and Friday to correct the anomalies and ensure that the agreement is respected.
“All our members are directed to step down the red alert message and should continue rendering their normal and lawful services to the nation.”
The union urged members of the public to avoid any panic action as it promised normal supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.
It added that talks were still ongoing between NUPENG and all affected stakeholders to amicably resolve the matter, putting into consideration the collateral economic damage the industrial unrest could possibly lead to in the country if not immediately nipped in the bud.
The union expressed hope that the ongoing talks would meet their demands and those of its members.to be mounted,” she stated.
