Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASAN) has warned against acts capable of plunging the nation’s economy into further hardship, including attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.
PENGASSAN, while reacting to the recent allegations by the Federal Government and Nigeria Police Force, of plots to attack and destroy oil facilities, in the region and threats to the nation’s democracy, said any such attacks would not be acceptable to Nigerians.
The oil workers’ union, in a statement signed by Lumumba Okugbawa, its general secretary, and made available to the media, Wednesday, therefore warned all aggrieved groups and politicians to stay away from oil and gas facilities, as the sector remains the engine that drives the country’s economic and social development.
“With a current population of about 200 million citizens, Nigeria cannot survive another internally instigated war. We counsel all aggrieved politicians to be patient and await the outcome of the various litigations pending at the electoral tribunals or wait till 2023 when another window of political activity will be lifted,” it said.
PENGASSAN noted that the union, and indeed, the citizens would never engage in or support any acts capable of plunging the country into an abyss of pain and destructions.
There has also been accusation, counter accusation and denial between the government and the opposition parties over the alleged plot to overthrow the present administration of President Mohammadu Buhari.
The union said: “We however view these outcries as serious and treasonable acts punishable on conviction with maximum penalty as prescribed by the nation’s laws and other internationally recognised conventions.”
It said as workers who strive daily to meet up with production quota and target in the oil and gas sector, the union would appreciate that its members were not drawn into unconfirmed and politically motivated alarms.
The union called on all political victors to show magnanimity in victory by accommodating and tolerating others while losers should also be humble in defeat and restrategise for the next political window.
JOSHUA BASSEY
