Oil & Energy

PENGASSAN Plans Nationwide Strike

Published

10 years ago

July 4, 2016

There are indications of
a looming nation-wide strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) if the Federal Government fails to take urgent steps to avert it.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman in Rivers State, Comrade Chika Onuegbu, who disclosed this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said the strike would impact heavily on the social-economic state of Nigerians as all oil workers operations including loading and sells of petroleum products would be halted by the industrial action.
Onuegbu linked the strike to unacceptable state of things in the oil sector and the attitude of the federal government towards meeting its Joint Venture Funding responsibilities.
He said about $7bn is being owed by the Federal Government under Joint Venture with oil multinationals and that this huge debt was causing ripples in the sector leading to mass sack of oil workers and slow pace of development.
“$7billion is owed by our country. That is what is killing the oil sector hence the oil multinationals are calling for downsizing, sack of workers and this development is worrisome.
“It is our hope that government will address this issue because the strike by PENGASSAN will have huge negative effects. Oil walls would be shut, federal government cannot get revenue and pay workers, no fuel and those depending on workers will also be affected”, he said. He urged government to take urgent steps to avert the economic crises ahead.
The Trade Union boss equally expressed disappointment with some members of companies of Petroleum Association of Nigerian (PETAN) who he said were working against the Nigerian contend development.
He explained that while stakeholders worked hard to see that Nigerian content becomes real and PETAN now reaps from the policy, PETAN which had benefited so much from the policy that had already become part of our bar, PETAN members were trying to create crises and push away the site operators in the sector.
The Tide gathered that PENGASSAN might be declaring nation wide strike on Wednesday to protest the unacceptable way the Ministry of Petroleum Resources under the Minister of State, Ibe Ikachukwu is leading affairs within the oil and gas sector since he assumed duty.
PENGASSAN, according to a high placed source is accusing Kachukwu of not consulting the body and other stakeholders before taking decisions.
The Tide source who pleaded anonymity said PENGASSAN leadership met over the weekend and resolved to use the strike to settle a lot of grievances which the minister had not taken seriously in spite of his promises to do so.
Since inception of the President Muhamamdu Buhari as President and Minister of Petroleum Resources, strike in the oil sector especially by wither NUPENG or PENGASSAN has been the order of the day.
In each of the strike situations, poor Nigerians suffer acute scarcity of fuel supply making the product sell above N250 at times even when Nigeria is amongst most blessed countries with oil and gas deposit.

Chris Oluoh

Oil & Energy

MIND Slams PENGASSAN, Urges Senate Probe Over Alleged Maltreatment Of Nigerians At TotalEnergies

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Movement of Intellectuals for National Development (MIND) has criticized the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over what it describes as an evasive response to allegations concerning the treatment of Nigerian employees at TotalEnergies.

In a statement issued by its Western Coordinator, Ebi Warekromo, MIND expressed disappointment at PENGASSAN’s attempt to distance itself from a petition submitted to the President of the Nigerian Senate, maintaining that its petition is grounded in verified evidence and first hand accounts from affected workers.

Warekromo noted that the submission draws extensively from documented correspondence originating from PENGASSAN’s local branch communications that previously raised concerns about unfair labour practices and managerial misconduct within TotalEnergies.

Among the critical issues highlighted are allegations of workplace bullying and intimidation allegedly perpetrated by certain expatriate staff.

The petition also cites serious security concerns and alleged violations of the Nigerian oil and gas industry content development (NOGICD) act, particularly claims that expatriate positions have been unlawfully extended beyond their approved tenures.

Warekromo who dismissed PENGASSAN’s characterization of the documents as merely ‘internal correspondence’ as weak and disingenuous, insisted that workers’ rights violations and systemic oppression cease to be internal matters once they begin to harm Nigerian employees.

The group argued that confidentiality must not be used as a shield for injustice, stressing that internal dispute resolution mechanisms must deliver measurable outcomes.

Where such mechanisms fail, MIND insists that public and legislative oversight becomes necessary

beyond the immediate allegations, questioning PENGASSAN’s independence and effectiveness in representing its members.

The group urged the union to welcome a Senate hearing, describing it as an opportunity to clarify its position, restore credibility, and rebuild trust among workers.

“We are not attacking PENGASSAN. We are responding to the absence of effective representation that has allowed these oppressive practices to persist unchecked”,

MIND emphasised its belief that when unions appear reluctant to act decisively, civil society organizations have a responsibility to intervene in pursuit of justice and equitable labour relations.

Calling for a collaborative response, the group urged workers, unions, regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders to work together toward fostering a healthier and more accountable environment within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

It further reiterated its unwavering commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and urged PENGASSAN to take concrete and transparent steps to fulfill its mandate as a labour union.

Oil & Energy

Elumelu Tasks FG On Power Sector Debt Payment

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, has urged the Federal Government to fast-track the settlement of debts owed to electricity generation companies (GenCos).

Elumelu said that the timely payment was imperative to boosting power supply and accelerating economic growth.

Speaking to State House correspondents, shortly after the meeting with President Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Weekend, Elumelu insisted that the debt payment would aid in revitalising the power sector and stabilising the economy while strengthening the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs).

He said “All of us who are in the power sector are owed significantly, but in spite of that, we continue to generate electricity. We want to see the payments made so that there will be more provision of electricity to the country. Access to electricity is critical for the development of our economy.”

Elumelu, whose conglomerate has major investments in Nigeria’s power industry, stressed that improving electricity supply remains one of the most important enablers of economic expansion, job creation and industrial productivity.

According to him, President Tinubu recognised the urgency of resolving the liquidity challenges in the power sector and is committed to addressing legacy debts to ensure generation companies can scale operations.

“The President realises it, embraces it and is committed to doing more, especially helping to fast-track the payment of the power sector debt so that power generators can do more for the country. That is very, very critical,” he added.

In his assessment of the outlook for 2026, he said growing macroeconomic stability, improved foreign exchange management and sustained reforms in the power sector could position Nigeria for stronger growth — provided implementation remains consistent and structural bottlenecks are addressed.

Elumelu posited that one priority stands out, which is: resolving power sector liquidity challenges to unlock increased electricity generation and energise the Nigerian economy.

Oil & Energy

‘Over 86 Million Nigerians Without Electricity’

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria has been said to have more than 86 million of its population still without access to electricity.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, stated this at the Award Ceremony of the Leadership Newspaper, in Abuja, last Thursday.

Mohammed noted that sixty per cent of the world’s best solar resources are on this continent adding that by 2040, Africa could generate ten times more electricity than it needs, and entirely from renewables.

Mohammad regretted that Africa now receives just two per cent of global clean energy investment saying, “And here in Nigeria, more than 86 million people still have no access to electricity at all.”

Expressing concerns over the large population of Nigerians living without access to electricity, the deputy scribe, said however, that Nigeria is responding to this challenge the right way insisting that under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has developed a best-in-class action plan for climate, one that treats climate not as a constraint but as an engine for growth.

According to her, by placing energy access, climate-smart agriculture, clean cooking, and water management at the heart of its development agenda, Nigeria is showing what serious climate leadership looks like but Nigeria cannot close the climate action gap alone.

“Developed countries must the triple adaptation financing, we need for serious contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund, and mobilize 300 billion dollars per year by 2035 for developing countries to succeed. Early warning systems need to reach everyone, so that communities have the means to prepare for climate shocks before they hit.

“And as Africa drives the global renewables revolution, including through its critical minerals, Africans must be the first and primary beneficiaries of the wealth that they generate”, Mohammed stated.