Abuja: The Federal Government has appealed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to suspend its planned nationwide strike scheduled for Monday, September 8. Mr. Muhammad Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment, made the appeal in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja and signed by Ms. Patience Onuobia, Head of Press and Public Relations in the ministry. Dingyadi urged the union to reconsider its decision, warning that shutting down the petroleum sector would severely cripple the Nigerian economy and worsen the hardship faced by citizens.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister has intervened in the matter and invited all parties for a conciliation meeting. He also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its red alert directing affiliate unions to prepare for solidarity action with petroleum workers. The minister emphasized that the petroleum sector is the core of the Nigerian economy, and even a day’s strike would cause significant revenue losses
and hardship for Nigerians.

The statement assured the public that the dispute between NUPENG and the Dangote Group over unionisation rights would be resolved peacefully to avoid any disruption in the vital oil and gas industry. The minister expressed his hope that the unions would give peace a chance and that the matter would be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all parties involved.