NUPENG elects Akporeha as national president

The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has elected Comrade Williams Akporeha, as its new national president. Akporeha and four other elected executive members will spearhead the affairs of the union in the next four years.

The immediate past national president of the union, Comrade Igwe Achese, has completed his eight-year tenure.

Other executive members who were elected at the union’s 4th quadrennial delegates conference in Port Harcourt, Friday night are Solomon Kilanko as Deputy National President, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, National Treasurer and Comrade Victoria Oyeleke as the Chief Welfare Officer.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, called on labour leaders across Nigeria to raise their voices in defence of democracy.

Governor Wike said Nigerian Labour leaders can no longer stand aloof while the fabric of governance is being destroyed.

He said: “As patriots and concerned Nigerians, we must all break our silence and protest against the atrocious and brutal system of the federal government that daily undermines our right to democracy, the rule of law and good governance.

“Nigerians want you and I to stand up and raise our voices for unity, for security, for justice, for the rule of law, for democracy and for free and fair elections in 2019.”.

The former president of the union, Comrade Igwe Achese, decried the casualization of workers in the oil and gas industry, noting that steps must be taken to address the issue.

In a goodwill message, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, represented by the member representing Obio/Akpor federal constituency, Kingsley Chinda, assured that the House will consider a bill to end casualization in the oil and gas industry.