The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has criticised the harassment of its essential duty members in oil companies by security agents enforcing the directive of the 14-day lockdown in Federal Capital Territory, Ogun and Lagos states.
This was contained a statement signed by its President and General Secretary, Prince Williams Akporeha and Olawale Afolabi respectively.
NUPENG, however, noted that despite the harassment in certain parts of the country, its members on essential services had ensured uninterrupted supply of petroleum products to every part of the country as the nation battles to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The union also called on oil companies and the Department of Petroleum Resources to provide adequate security pass for their workers to ensure smooth movement to and from work.
The statement read in part, “The leadership of NUPENG has reviewed the roles of our members in the frontline in this critical period as Nigerians fight to contain the spread of the deadly and contagious coronavirus pandemic, we are proud to say our members on essential services have made us proud.
“We appeal to state governments, security agents and Nigerians in general to corporate with members of our unions who are risking their lives to provide essential services to the nation. In the same vein, we reiterate our appeal for support from corporate organisations in the provision of sanitizers and other safety kits to members of the union on essential services to protect them and members of their families.
“We are in this battle together and by the grace of God, we shall overcome. We urge all our members to remain safe and adhere strictly to all the precautionary measures given by the appropriate authorities.”
