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BY CLETUS NGWODO
THE Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has said that the state government will interface with critical stakeholders to end casualisation in the oil and gas sector of the economy.
Speaking, while declaring open the 5th Triennial Delegates Conference of Warri Zonal Council of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in Asaba, yesterday Senator Okowa stated that anti-labour practise by the international oil companies remains a major challenge in the sector.
The governor, who was represented at the ceremony by his Special Adviser on Labour and SERVICOM, said that the state has exemplified this commitment by ending casualisation in its workforce in 2013, noting that, as at today, there is no casual worker in the state public service.
While urging members of PENGASSAN to conduct themselves in a very orderly and matured manner in electing candidates of their choice that will plot the affairs of the union in the next three years, Governor Okowa said that the state government will continue to synergise with the union in solving the contending issues confronting the oil industry.
He assured that other critical demands as good roads and security are already being attended to with the aim of improving production and revenue earning from the sector, adding that Delta is safe and peaceful while his administration has constructed numerous roads across the 25 local government areas of the state and others being awarded.
Earlier, the National President of the association, Comrade Francis Johnson had commended the effort of the state government to end insurgency and other criminal acts in the country. He, however, noted that efforts should be intensified in the area of security of lives and property, especially in the oil and gas installations, by ending attacks by marauding herdsmen, communal clashes, kidnapping and hostage -taking.
“Let me reiterate that security is a job for all Nigerians as we need to provide intelligence report on every suspected movement or activity to the security agencies,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Delta State, Comrade Chinedu Nwobodo, a chairmanship candidate of PENGASSAN said that the union is suffering from leadership crisis, assuring that his aspiration was informed by the need to restore members’ confidence and unity in the union.
Comrade Nwobodo, who commended the Senate for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which, he said, has cost the nation huge sums of money, noted that following the non-passage investment in the sector has reduced because of the attendant risk in investing in uncertain environment and urged the House of Representatives to do same without further delay.
