PENGASSAN: Union vows to resist attempts by FG to sell its stakes in NNPC

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has vowed to resist any attempt by the Federal Government to sell its stakes in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

According to Punch, the spokesman of PENGASSAN, Emmanuel Ojugbana said the union’s stand on the issue still remains the same.

This is coming on the heels of a proposal by the petroleum ministry on November 10, 2016, suggesting the sale of the government’s stakes in NNPC.

Ojugbana said “Actually, the government is trying to revisit the Petroleum Industry Bill and that may have to do with the draft document being reported. But we have not engaged with them in order to know the implication of what is in the draft or the bill. However, we have already made our position clear and I’m restating it that we are not in support of any attempt to sell our national assets.

“But if there are other policies of government that will enhance the oil and gas industry, we are in support of that. So, we need to understand what the draft proposal is all about and then we will make our contributions. But as per the sale of assets, PENGASSAN is completely against it and should be counted out.

“We are not in support of the sale of our national assets; we will only give support to policies that aim to create adequate governance structures, as this will provide more business opportunities, which is good for the Nigerian people. In times like this, the government should not consider the sale of assets belonging to the NNPC, for we will oppose it seriously.”

He also added that PENGASSAN will support the Federal Government if it comes up with options that will benefit Nigerians.

Lending his voice, PENGASSAN Secretary-General, Lumumba Okugbawa said the union is looking forward to holding talks with the Federal Government.

Okugbawa also said the government should not be allowed to sell national assets that belong to Nigerians.

He said “Our position still remains the same that they cannot sell our national assets. It is not to be allowed. We don’t have the details of which company they want to sell in the NNPC. Is it the Kaduna, Warri or Port Harcourt refinery? Is it a different subsidiary of the NNPC, or is it the entire NNPC? These are things we need to find out.

“But no matter what it may be, our position stays and it is that the government should not be allowed to sell our collective national assets. There should be better ways to handle things, not by selling our national assets. So, we look forward to having better dialogue with the government.”

 Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo recently called for an urgent reform of the NNPC business operations model.