- Oil Workers Urge Govt to Reduce Poverty
Oil workers, under the auspices of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, have called on government at all levels to increase efforts at reducing poverty in the country.
The workers stated that this could be achieved by putting in place people-oriented programmes and policies.
The President, PENGASSAN, Francis Johnson, made the call during the 5th Triennial Delegates’ Conference of the Addax Branch of the association in Lagos on Thursday.
According to the union leader, the National Bureau of Statistics claim on reduction in inflation figure has not translated to improvements in the masses’ welfare.
Johnson stated “Judging by the Brookling’s report that categorised Nigeria as the country with the highest number of extreme poor people, we want the government to increase its efforts at reducing poverty in the country by putting in place people-oriented programmes and policies.
“Besides, the poverty in the land does not seem to abate despite government’s efforts to restore normalcy and give the people a new sense of hope.”
He noted that the historical role of the labour movement was to be the stabilising force required to create the atmosphere necessary for the expected change, adding that throughout Nigeria’s political history, the leadership role of labour had always been pivotal to the realisation of national objectives as a people.
“In this connection, our association, PENGASSAN, will stand up to be counted as always, by ensuring that we continue to contribute our individual and collective quotas in whatever ways we can to promote national development, particularly those affecting our industry,” he added.
