News
NUPENG Demands Reinstatement Of 94 Sacked Mobil Workers
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), says it has not shifted grounds on its demand for the reinstatement of 94 oil workers recently sacked at Qua Iboe oil fields.
Mr Harry Bassey, National Public Relations Officer of NUPENG, told newsmen yesterday in Eket, that the massive disengagement of its members was carried out without consultation with the union.
Bassey said that the disengagement of the workers violated the terms of the subsisting Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Union, Management of Mobil and their contractors.
He said that the affected workers were locked out and denied access to their duty posts after performing their jobs the previous day, only to be informed on telephone by their supervisors that they had been disengaged.
“The battle is still on and I can say categorically that we have a good case, the management of Mobil had intervened to resolve the crisis by inviting us for talks in Lagos and asking us to come back to Eket to find a workable solution.
“It was resolved that a six-man committee be set up to review the matter and make recommendations to resolve the issues under contention and until the process is concluded, our position is that the affected workers are still on duty,” Bassey said.
The labour leader further said that the union recognised the rights of the employers of labour to ‘hire and fire’ but that the union owed its members a duty to ensure that the process complied with existing legislation and the terms of the contract.
He maintained that under the present circumstance where the workers neither committed any offence nor were found wanting in the discharge of their duties, they could only be laid off under the redundancy option and paid their entitlements.
Our correspondent gathered that more than 100 workers were affected but a total of 94 contract workers at the Qua Iboe oil fields who were members of NUPENG were disengaged in September in a downsizing exercise in the operations of Mobil.
Public Affairs sources in Mobil declined comments on the development and insisted that the oil firm had no direct responsibility as the affected workers were hired by contractors working for Mobil.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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