NUPENG, PENGASSAN Shut Down Chevron Operations

Operations of Chevron Nigeria Limited have been shut down by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

NUPENG and PENGASSAN had directed all its members to down tools in Chevron following the sack of 600 Nigerian employees and the company’s alleged anti-labour practices.

The directive was contained in a joint statement on Sunday by NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, and PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo.

“We have directed our members in Chevron to withdraw their services. We call on the Federal Government to call Chevron to order; we can no longer guarantee industrial peace in the oil and gas sector.

“Here is our fatherland and we have a labour law that regulates the activities of organisations in Nigeria; this law cannot be breached; We must follow the process,” NUPENG and PENGASSAN said.

Labour alleged that Chevron management, on Independence Day, notified about 2,000 employees that their services were no longer required.

They further alleged that Chevron asked employees still interested in working with them to apply afresh.

NUPENG and PENGASSAN declared that the development runs contrary to Nigerian laws and does not protect national interest.

“This is an imperialist agenda that must not be allowed to stay; most especially as we have just finished celebrating our 60th independence as a sovereign country,” they said.