TUC Flays FG Over Oil Sector Dev

The Trade Union Congress
of Nigeria (TUC) has attributed the slow pace of development in the oil and gas sector in the country to failure of the Federal Government to pay or release its counterpart fund for the joint venture projects in the sector.
The congress, in its communiqué released after a recent meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) in Abuja noted that development of the sector was at its lowest ebb and appealed to the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to live up to its funding responsibilities as the Senior Partner in the venture.
“The situation is having serious toll on oil revenue, with attendant implications on the statutory allocation to the various tiers – Federal, State and local governments, MDAs and other bodies that draw fund from government purse”, it said.
The communiqué which was signed by TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal, called on government to take urgent and decisive steps towards fulfilling its own part of the agreement.
The Congress expressed confidence that the step would revive some stalled projects in the oil and gas sector, remarking that some of the projects some of which are over 10 years.
It further called on the Federal Government to urgently dialogue with the oil workers unions, NUPENG and PENGASSAN as to arrive at earnest and expedient measures in order to avert industrial action on issues concerning Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) of refineries.
The Congress which deliberated on the stand of the workers’ Unions on the issue of state owned refineries said it was imperative for the government and workers union in the oil and gas sector to consider interest of the Unions and the nation in whatever business model they may arrive at.

Chris Oluoh