Yesterday, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, also known as NUPENG, pledged to join the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in a solidarity strike in response to an ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, also known as ASUU, and other Unions in the country’s tertiary institutions.
The union expressed concern about the eight-month-long strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff of Universities and Associated Institutions (NASU), and Senior Staff Association of Non-Academic Union (SSANU) that has crippled academic activities in the nation’s public tertiary institutions in a statement signed jointly by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale.
The planned demonstration was reported to be in response to the Federal Government’s callous stance in terminating the strike and allowing students to return to class.
“The union joins other unions in condemning the Federal Government’s apathy toward finding a long-term solution to the situation.” We are profoundly concerned that the strike has left thousands of university students stuck and idle, putting some of them vulnerable to different social vices and crimes, so shortening what could have been amazing assets and benefits to our great nation and humanity.
“We are deeply disturbed that, rather than tackling pressing concerns in the educational sector, dishonest politicians are busy campaigning and spending resources in preparation for the 2023 general elections.” In light of this, NUPENG, along with other trade unions, asks that the Federal Government consider and settle all ASUU, NASU, and SSANU issues as soon as possible in order to avoid nationwide solidarity actions by our members across the country.”
The union has vowed to join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in protest of the dreadful situation in the tertiary education sector.
“Through this news release, we are putting all of our members on alert to participate in solidarity actions on the order of the Nigeria Labour Congress at very short notice. Our support is unwavering since the union makes us powerful!”
The union has also expressed alarm about the recent explosion at Matrix Energy Tank Farm’s gas section in Ifiekporo, Warri, Delta State, which resulted in the loss of life and property.