‘NUPENG not opposed to downstream deregulation’

The National President, Nigeria Union.of Petroleum & Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Williams Akporeha, has said his union is not opposed to deregulation if it will create more wealth and opportunities for Nigeria.

“NUPENG is not opposed to deregulation. If that will open up the industry, we are all for it. Clearly the industry needs to be opened up and expanded. So if deregulation will create more jobs for Nigerians, NUPENG is in support of that” he told journalists at the Independent Marketers Branch (IMB) of NUPENG 4th Quadratic delegates conference held in Abuja.

He, however, advised that deregulation must come with palliatives.

“The roads must be done, power must be stable before deregulation of the downstream sector.If deregulation is done without these palliatives, it will have serious impact on Nigerians” he warned.

According to him, “Government should also come with social services like free health care for the aged and the children, and stipends for unemployed graduates. Because clearly the government will make money from the deregulation and they must tell us what they intend to spend the money.’’

The conference saw the election of new leadership for the IMB in the four years. Comrade Oluwaleye Elisha Olayemi was elected the Branch Chairman and took over from Comrade Abdullahi Yunusa.

Comrade Akporeha also tasked the new leadership to work in the interest of the Union.