The National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu last night urged Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and other labour unions not to hurt the economy as the government is making progress to redirect its time.
The NSA made the remark after stepping into the row between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN
The second day of the peace meeting initiated by the government was moved to the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) from the ministry of Labor and government.
“They have not reached any conclusion yet but the NSA asked PENGASSAN not to hurt the economy,” a source said last night.
Ribdau held talks with Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote and representatives of oil workers’ union as part of steps to avoid a total shutdown of the oil and gas sector.
At the meeting were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Labour and Employment Mohammed Dingyadi; Minister of State for Labour and Employment Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo; Secretary of the union Lumumba Ighotemu and top government officials.
The meeting, which was still ongoing as of press time at 11.24pm, was held in the Office of the NSA (ONSA) in Abuja.
The Upstream and the Downstream of the oil sector are now feeling the impact of the lingering feud between the refinery and PENGASSAN.
A source, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “There is an ongoing marathon meeting between the NSA and other key stakeholders, especially Dangote and PENGASSAN leaders.
“Ribadu, who is the chairman of the Energy Security of the government, opted to intervene following the continuous spread of the strike action by PENGASSAN.
Edun warned that the ongoing strike poses a major threat to the nation’s fragile economy. He said the government was determined to limit the impact of the industrial action, which followed the dismissal of 800 workers by Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.
