Fuel scarcity looms as PENGASSAN begins nationwide strike

Oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have commenced a nationwide indefinite strike.

This is contained in a letter released on Monday and signed by Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN general secretary.

The letter dated November 8 is titled “Re: Breach in Agreement on IPPIS Implementation and Redundancy in Baker Hughes”.

The association directed oil workers to withdraw services from Sunday night as the seven days ultimatum given to the government had elapsed.

“We refer to the above letter dated November 2, 2020, where we gave seven days ultimatum and a further extension to the relevant government agencies and institutions,” the statement reads.

“In view of the above and with the expiration of the ultimatum and subsequent extension, you are hereby advised to withdraw services effective at 12 midnight on Sunday, November 8, 2020.

“Please ensure that your branch members fully comply with this directive while you await further directive. All zonal offices are to monitor compliance and report same to the national secretariat.”

In an interview with Channels TV, Festus Osifo, PENGASSAN president, had queried the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform, saying there was nothing wrong with the Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform being used to pay salaries and emoluments of members.

“Today (Monday), members of PENGASSAN have commenced strike, and letters have been sent to zonal levels for our members to commence strike starting from today and to monitor its compliance following the government’s failure to meet our yearnings,” he said.

“We have exhausted all our diplomatic means to resolve the issue. We sent different letters to all the concerned stakeholders including the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige but it doesn’t seem they are ready. We appeal to Nigerians to bear with us while the strike lasts.”

PENGASSAN is not the only association on strike over IPPIS implementation. Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had also kicked against the payment platform, citing “irregularities”.