Oil Sector: NUPENG Threatens Total Shut Down …As Fuel Scarcity Worsens In Rivers

The President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Igwe Achese, has told the Federal Government to compel multi-national oil companies to respect Nigeria’s labour laws.
Achese made the call yesterday in Lagos in a statement.
He said that the union had watched with great concern the activities of the multi-nationals, warning: “NUPENG will embark on strike if their nefarious activities were not checked.
“The union states that the new drive of the oil majors and multi-nationals amounts to sabotage and that if not controlled will lead to an unhealthy atmosphere in the oil sector.
“The union, therefore, calls on Mr. President, the minister of labour and the National Assembly to quickly intervene before the bubble bursts.”
Achese said that the union noted the degree of impunity and non-conformity with best practices by the multi-nationals in their dealings with contract workers in their system.
The statement added: “These current actions are all efforts geared towards sabotaging the economy of the country and to impoverish its citizenry, particularly the contract workers in their system.”
Achese said that the anti-union policies and decisions remained unresolved, despite the mediatory role played by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Achese added: “It is sad to note that 14 months after discussions, the issue of Chevron contract workers who transited into new contracting companies is yet to be resolved.
“We made several attempts at re-opening discussions on the outstanding transition issues but all to no avail.
“The union also has a running battle with Shell Petroleum Development Company and their contractors over unionisation of contract workers as well as putting in place a collective bargaining agreement.”
Achese said that the union had placed its members nationwide on notice, to mobilise for a total shut-down of activities in the oil and gas industry.
Meanwhile, scarcity of fuel which hit major cities across the country two weeks ago has continued with many vehicles in long queens and motorists buying fuel in the black market for as much as N200 per litre.
Our correspondent, who monitored the situation in Port Harcourt, and its environs said few filling stations were selling while long queens of vehicles were noticed in the few operational stations.
A taxi driver in Port Harcourt, Emma Nwonye said he bought a litre of petrol from MRS Filling Station opposite Mile III Park at N140.
“I tried many areas to get petrol and was unsuccessful until I got to MRS in Mile III and I bought a litre at N140. But my friend who later bought from there told me he bought at N200”, Nwonye said.
Nwonye said it was difficult getting petrol in the city, and appealed to the authorities to do everything possible to arrest the ugly situation.
Another resident, Clarice Nkoli said she had forgotten about going to filling stations for fuel since the scarcity began.
“I buy one litre for N200 in the black market because I don’t have the time to waste at the  stations”.
One of the black marketers, Elvis Emmanuel told The Tide that the scarcity is good business for him.
“I wish it will last. At least, I make good money because my phone line rings continuously and my sellers are always transacting business and returning good money. I am not complaining”, he said.
When The Tide asked how the black marketers always get supply when there is scarcity at the filling stations, he said, “we register at the stations with some tips, and then, the fuel attendants are ever ready to give us fuel even when the filling stations are not selling”.
The situation has started reflecting in the increased fare as some routes have witnessed 50 per cent to 100 per cent increase.
Investigation by The Tide showed that from Mile I Flyover to BMH, which was formerly N70, now cost N100; Park to Lagos Bus Stop that was only N50 now cost N100 while from Lagos Bus Stop to Borokiri cost N100.
Anderson told The Tide that from Education Bus Stop to Agip Bus Stop used to cost N50 but today (yesterday) bus drivers changed N100.
Another respondent said transport fare from Rumukurusi to Igwuruta that used to cost N150 is now N200.
“Yesterday and today, transporters charged N200 and above from Rumuokurusi to Igwuruta instead of N150”, said Mrs Glory Amaefule, a petty trader.
Mrs Amaefule revealed that she had also increased the cost of some of her articles to recover the cost in transport.
The Tide reports that more people were now trekking because of the situation in Port Harcourt.
It would be recalled that the Chairman of Abali Park branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Bethel Dappa said last week that transport fares  in Port Harcourt City and its environs were likely to go up should the fuel scarcity persist.

L-R: Head, Protocol and Publicity, Independent National Electoral Commission, Tonia Nwobi, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak and Representative of Rivers Governor, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, during the presentation of computers to Rivers State Government at INEC office in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Chris Oluoh