NUPENG Dissolves SPDC Branch Exco

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in exercise of its powers has descended upon the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) branch of the union in Port Harcourt, by the immediate dissolution of the branch executive of the union for alleged anti-union activities.

National Secretary of the union Comrade Elijah Okougbo, gave the directive following the illegal levy deduction from the salaries of the union’s members at the Shell Branch Unit.

He emphasised that the deduction was not approved by the National Secretariat of the Union as required by the union’s constitution under rule 18 (a).

The secretary general stressed that in conformity with the union’s constitution the NEC took the decision at its emergency meeting held in Port Harcourt earlier in December after an exhaustive debate to review the state of the union in relationship to the SPDC Branch.

He said the branch executive was dissolved for various offences contrary to the union’s constitution.

He said an interim executive has been set up to pilot the affairs of the union in SPDC Unit Port Harcourt pending the approval of the National Executive Council for conduct of fresh elections.

However, when The Tide sought the view of either the former chairman or secretary on the face-off between the National Secretariat and the Branch, they declined comments.

Philip Okparaji