The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has issued a direct call for an immediate and comprehensive salary review for employees across the oil and gas sector.
The union’s President, Comrade Festus Osifo, made the demand following a National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, arguing that the massive devaluation of the naira and prevailing harsh economic conditions have rendered current wage structures inadequate for the survival of its members.
Osifo acknowledged that while the union has successfully negotiated improved Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with many companies, he pointedly called out a “few” organisations for “foot-dragging” and “holding back” on necessary adjustments.
“We still use this opportunity to call on these companies… that still don’t want to fix the remuneration of our members,” Osifo stated, warning that PENGASSAN would push “using everything in our arsenal, to ensure that the needful is done.”
The urgent economic demand was coupled with a significant security plea. Osifo linked national instability directly to the welfare of citizens, expressing the union’s exhaustion with incessant terrorist attacks.
“We are tired of always having one minute of silence for our brothers and our sisters,” he declared, demanding that the government move beyond condemnations to name, expose, and prosecute the known sponsors of terrorism.
He urged the deployment of more funds for sophisticated equipment to combat the menace, stating that security is a foundational requirement for any meaningful economic progress.
The union’s advocacy extended beyond its active members to include retirees.
In a related development, the pensioners of Chevron Nigeria, operating under the aegis of PenCoN, released a statement lauding President Osifo and PENGASSAN for their “unrelenting efforts” in addressing pension abnormalities. PenCoN’s statement highlighted the “ugly fate” and “terrible situation of misery” faced by retired oil workers, accusing International Oil Companies (IOCs) like Chevron of using loopholes to pauperise retirees after years of service.
The group specifically called on PENGASSAN to direct its branches to engage with retiree associations and ensure that pensioners’ welfare is incorporated into future CBAs, reversing the unilateral removal of benefits like the annual Cost of Living Adjustment.
Further spotlighting ongoing labour tensions, Osifo confirmed that unresolved disputes with the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd persist. Despite engagements since the union’s last national industrial action, “there are still a lot of pending issues,” he noted, adding that the NEC has resolved to continue dialogue while mobilising all stakeholders for a resolution.
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