NUPENG Salutes Workers, Urges Mutual Sacrifice, Cooperation to Defeat COVID-19
By UDO ONYEKA
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG),felicitates Nigerian working class people , especially, those in the Oil and Gas industry on the occasion of 2020 May Day, a day specifically set aside to celebrate workers’ economic significance.
A ststement signed by NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha and General Secretary, Comrade Olawale Afolabi, the Union said inspite of the challenges arising from the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic, which has regrettably deprived working class people the usual unique atmosphere and opportunity to engage in the traditional parades, speech-making and other activities,commends Nigerian workers.
The Statement said ” NUPENG is using this opportunity to commend and appreciate all frontline working people who are on daily basis being exposed to risks of infections and deaths due to complications of Covid 19 as humanity engages the unseen enemy in the strange global war.
” We salute the indomitable and patriotic fighting spirit of Oil and Gas workers, medical workers, law enforcement agents, market men/women, farmers, journalists, Drivers and other essential services workers for their invaluable services to the nation. “We pray that God will continue to protect and strengthen them in this struggle, as they discharge their very humane, legitimate and selfless essential services to humanity.”
The Union called on federal government and other levels of governments to deepen the spread the palliative measures/ materials across all strata of society, especially indigent and vulnerable persons to cushion the impacts of the pandemic and its associated lockdown on economic activities.
The Union also empathizes with various employers of labour across board, particularly in the Oil and Gas industry and expresses willingness to work with them in this turbulent journey for the survival of humanity and the challenges of revamping our workplaces.
NUPENG said it received with relief and hope, the report of the offer by the Department of Petroleum Resources to support the operations of Oil and Gas Companies during this trying period so as to avoid stoppage of operations and unnecessary loss of jobs by workers.
“We implore Oil and Gas Companies not to exploit the current disturbing situation to declare unnecessary redundancies or inflict precarious and unfair labor practices on the workers that are already emotionally and psychologically traumatized.
” dThis is the time we should all come together to develop ways and means to save human race from the pandemic rather than being preoccupied with issues of pecuniary gains.
” We earnestly demand for mutual sacrifices and cooperation so that we can collectively defeat Covid 19 and the associated hunger in the land for a better tomorrow”, NUPENG said.
