NUPENG warns NNPC not to reduce staff contract period

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) has asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) not to reduce the contract cycle of workers.

The labour union alleged that there are plans by NNPC to reduce staff contract cycle from two to four years, to six months.

NUPENG says the planned action by NNPC is a clear example of modern day slavery and exploitation.

NUPENG President,  Igwe Achese, said “The NNPC position that contract cycle of two to four years was a major contributor to the high cost per barrel of Nigerian crude oil, compared to other OPEC member countries, amounted to self-service and sounds very unpatriotic.”

He also said “We call on the Federal Government to rescind the decision in order to have a conducive atmosphere for oil and gas workers. Six months contract cycle will be counterproductive, uneventful, and make a mess of the Nigerian oil and gas Industry Content Development Act and cause unemployment in the sector.”

The Lagos State Zonal Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) neglected Nigeria’s oil sector during its 16-year reign.

He also said the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu is one of Nigeria’s best petroleum ministers.