The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has expressed worry and concern over the prolonged strikes by university Unions.
The workers in the Petroleum Industry condemned what it called the “lackadaisical attitude” of the Federal Government towards finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
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President of NUPENG, Comrade Williams Akporeha and the General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale said the strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other varsity unions including NASU and SSANU have paralysed Universities for months and rendered students stranded and idle.
The Union however asked the Federal Government to “immediately address and resolve all demands of ASUU, NASU and SSANU without any further delay to avert national solidarity actions from our members across the Country.”
It said it would not hesitate to join the nationwide strike if the ASUU crisis was not immediately resolved.
Daily Trust reports that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had threatened to a national protest over the prolonged ASUU strike which is now over four months.
The union equally expressed worry that instead of addressing the issues affecting the education sector, the politicians are busy campaigning for 2023 elections.
The NUPENG’s statement read: “The Union joins other Unions to condemn the lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government towards finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
“We are deeply worried that the strike has left thousands of University students stranded and idle, making some of them susceptible to go into various social vices and crimes, thus truncating what otherwise should have been wonderful assets and blessings to our great nation and humanity.
“This is definitely unfortunate and a sad commentary on the level of governance and sensitivity of the political leaders. This also without doubt shows the insensitivity of the current administration towards promoting and projecting good and quality education.
“We are seriously concerned that instead of addressing the nagging issues in the educationaI sector, the unscrupulous politicians are busy campaigning and wasting resources over 2023 general elections.
“It is against this background that NUPENG demands together with other Trade Unions, that the Federal Government must immediately address and resolve all demands of ASUU, NASU and ssANU without any further delay to avert national solidarity actions from our members across the Country.
“The rank-and-file members of NUPENG align with the NLC’s position on protest against unfortunate situation in the tertiary education sector and will not hesitate to join in the proposed nationwide strike on the matter.
“A stitch in time saves nine. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. We are by copy of this Press statement putting all our members on alert to be in solidarity actions on the directive of Nigeria Labour Congress at very short notice. Our Solidarity remains constant, for the Union makes us strong.”
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