NUPENG strike: Group calls for dialogue

NATIONAL Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has been urged to seek other means besides strike in the resolution of disputes.

President Association for Non-Violence in the Niger Delta, Mr Kennedy West, made the appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, noting that the union should evolve a human friendly approach to press for attention.

The group condemned NUPENG President, Mr. Igwe Achese, for threatening to call out members on an industrial action without exhausting other peaceful means to address whatever grouse they may have against government over subsidy related matters.

The association warned the oil workers not to overheat the polity, noting that President of NUPENG was too much in a hurry with his threat to embark on strike.

West also enjoined Northern leaders to take practical steps to tackle the security challenges posed by the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

He said: “Northern elders should act to address the security situation in the north. They have to be seen making genuine effort to assist the Federal Government achieve peace in the North. The Niger Delta elders did same when their region had security challenges.”

He urged Northern politicians to exercise restraint in their attack on the Federal Government, stressing that some of their statements could provoke unhealthy reactions from other sections of the country.

Mr. West said what was needed now was a concerted effort by Northern leaders in synergy with the Federal Government to resolve the challenges in the region.

Culled fro vanguard