Lagos- The Petroleum and National Gas Senior Staff As0sociation (PENGASSAN) on Tuesday postponed its meeting with Federal Government’s representatives over the strike embarked upon by the oil workers.
The National President of PENGASSAN, Mr Francis Johnson, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday due to non availability of some officials of the union.
NAN reports that PENGASSAN embarked on a three-day nationwide warning strike on Monday to press home some demands.
The Nigeria Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) joined in the strike except its South-West Chapter.
The workers are demanding turnaround maintenance of the nation’s refineries and reduction in pump prices of petroleum products in line with the slump in global price of crude oil.
They are also demanding new strategies to combat pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft that have impacted negatively on the nation’s economy.
“Today’s meeting with government representatives could not hold because we could not get all our concerned members on ground.
“We have shifted the meeting to Wednesday.
“The strike continues. We are open to dialogue if government wants to talk to us.
“We are passionate about our country and the people.
“The strike does not affect crude oil lifting. It only affects some loading jetties and major depots across the country,’’ he said.
Johnson said that the outcome of the meeting would determine the union’s next line of action.
Similarly, Mr Tokunbo Korodo, the Chairman, South-West Chapter of NUPENG, told NAN that the union would meet with government’s representatives on Thursday.
Korodo, however, said that the chapter was not part of the strike.
“It is the Thursday’s meeting that will decide if we are going to join our fellow workers in the struggle.
“We have decided to wait till Thursday before taking a decision on the strike,’’ he said.
NAN reports that normal activities are going on at the Mosinmi and Satellite Depots in Lagos State as tankers are still lifting petroleum products. (NAN)