The Minister of Labour and Employment, the Honourable Muhammad Maigari Dangyadi, has urged the newly elected President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Salimon Oladiti, to build on the legacies of his immediate predecessor, Comrade Williams Akporeha.
Dangyadi gave the admonition at the weekend in his goodwill message at the 6th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of NUPENG, held in Lagos.
This comes after Oladiti and 15 others
were elected unopposed executives for a term of 4 years at NUPENG.
Speaking at the conference, Dangyadi, represented by the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations (TUSIR), Falonipe Amos, recalled the harmonious relationship in the industry between NUPENG and players in the midstream, downstream and upstream sectors.
He urged the new President of NUPENG and his team to sustain the template of cordial industrial relations.
He maintained that while pushing for the interest of their members, particularly in the area of better welfare, dialogue should not be disregarded for confrontation.
He said, “The Federal Government values NUPENG’s contributions to national development.
“Comrade Akporeha’s commitment to constructive dialogue while agitating for workers’ welfare is exemplary.
“He contributed meaningfully to industrial harmony. We urge the executive that will succeed him to take a cue from this.”
In his acceptance speech, Oladiti, who commended his predecessor for his achievements which included better remuneration, construction of a national secretariat for the union, health and life insurance for union staff, and an insurance scheme for tanker drivers, amongst others, assured the members that his leadership will take the union to greater heights.
He said, “Your dedication, sacrifices, and steadfast leadership have laid a strong and admirable foundation upon which we shall continue to build.
“We want to assure you that the new leadership under my watch will not disappoint. We are committed to building on the solid progress established by Prince Akporeha’s administration.
“We shall work tirelessly to strengthen our union and uphold the dignity of labour.
“We will collaborate with the government and labor-friendly employers and other social partners for the betterment of the Nigerian economy and also to improve the welfare and working conditions of our members across the country.
“At the same time, let me assure you that we will not relent in our efforts in using all necessary diplomacy in dialoguing with all anti-union employers in the industry to secure a better condition of service for our members. The rights and welfare of our members will always remain our top priority.”
Earlier the outgoing President, Akporeha, advised that promoting industry harmony through robust engagements, better remuneration, and welfare should be the focus of the new administration.
He said, “When we arrived, the secretariat was staffed by a demoralized, aging workforce. Today, many have retired meritoriously, with their entitlements paid promptly. Others left voluntarily for educational pursuits abroad.
“We recruited new, capable hands; rewarded stagnation with well-deserved promotions; reviewed salaries under a revitalized staff CBA; and provided modern equipment. The crowning achievement is NUPENG Towers—a brand-new, conducive workspace commissioned in December 2024.”
Similarly, in his goodwill message, President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), who also doubles as President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Festus Osifo, paid tribute to Comrade Akporeha, whom he described as a trusted ally in the agitation for the welfare of members in the oil industry.
He said, “PENGASSAN and NUPENG have never had it so good in the last 8 years that Comrade Akporeha held sway.
“The two unions became inseparable.” Remuneration of our members has quadrupled in the last 4 years in the International Oil Companies (IOCs). Our members in the NNPCL will also tell you.
“It wasn’t by trial and error but concerted efforts between NUPENG and PENGASSAN.”
