$2bn debt: NUPENG warns oil marketers over mass sack

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has warned oil marketers over the threat of mass retrenchment of workers if the Federal Government fails to pay outstanding subsidy of $2 billion owed it on the importation of petroleum products.

President of the union, Igwe Achese, who stated this in Lagos said that the threat to sack the workers should not be used as a weapon to get government to pay but apply other sanctions that will compel them.

It stressed that the threat to embark on the mass sack is uncalled for, unjustified and unethical as the workers have always performed their duties well.

The marketers, under the aegis of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and Independent Petroleum Products Importers (IPPIs) last week raised the alarm over plans to embark on mass retrenchment of workers as the Federal Government failed to pay their outstanding debts owed on petroleum importation, accrued interest and exchange differential which runs to over $2 billion.

Achese warned that workers should not be used as scapegoats for government’s ineptitude and nonchalant attitude to pay for products imported on its behalf.

The union therefore called on the Federal Government to verify the N720 billion owed the oil marketers and pay them in order to avert fuel scarcity and suffering of the masses.

It reiterated that the oil marketers borrowed money to import the products and as a result they should fulfill their obligations to them.

It urged the Federal Government to develop the political will to do the turnaround-maintenance of the nation’s refineries to make them work optimally so that the drain on the nation`s foreign exchange would be reduced due to massive importation of petroleum products.

The union warned that any attempt to sack workers in the oil marketing firms will be resisted and will lead to an industrial crisis in the industry.