The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has declared support for and confidence in its leadership, with Mr Williams Akporeha as President, and Mr Olawale Afolabi as General Secretary.
The Lagos Council Zonal Chairman, Mr Tayo Aboyeji, made the declaration during the union’s emergency meeting on the crisis within the union.
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers ‘branch of the union had been having a leadership crisis following a delegate conference held on Oct. 31 in Ibadan.
Aboyeji said, “This emergency meeting is necessitated by recent developments in the zone and NUPENG in general, which is necessary for your information.
“As the Zonal Chairman of Lagos Zonal Council, NUPENG, my team and I have complete faith in the national leadership of NUPENG.
“They have shown time and time again that they are committed to the welfare of our members and the growth of our union.
“This engagement with ourselves will afford us in-depth knowledge, understanding, clear perspectives and first hand information to the issue at hand,” he said.
Aboyeji said that the main objectives of the council were to protect and promote the rights and interests of its members, improve working conditions and welfare.
He also said that the union aimed to foster solidarity and unity among members, and to contribute to the development of the oil and gas industry, and national economy.
“In the light of the above, the council holds regular meetings with its branch executive members, employers, government agencies and other stakeholders to discuss and resolve issues affecting the sector.
“The council also organises annual zonal council educational conferences and other capacity building programmes for her members,” he said.
In his remarks, the union’s National Trustee, and a former chairman, PTD, NUPENG, Mr Salimon Oladiti, said information was key in ensuring stability within the union.
Oladiti said, “If somebody can take the leadership mantle of this union, just six years ago and carry out a gigantic project for the secretariat, an eight storey building, completed within six years, we have to say kudos to the leadership.”