Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) on Tuesday clear the air over the purported crisis between it and other unions stating that it neither had any issues with Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Petroleum Tanker Drivers nor any other group in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry in the country.
National President of NOGASA, Bennet Korie, who gave the clarification in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, said it became necessary to explain in order to keep the public updated with the happenings and the cause of the actions of certain components of the industry.
“we owe the public a duty and that is because our actions and inactions as investment owners in the downstream sector of our petroleum industry have effects on Nigeria and Nigerians.
“Petroleum products lubricate every sector of the economy and at such issues surrounding the sector becomes a matter of public concern.
“This is to keep the public updated with the happenings and the cause of the actions of certain components of the industry.
“The industry is multifaceted and the downstream have different associations overseeing different components of its operations.
“Just as we have NUPENG as Union of junior workers and PTD as a component of NUPENG;
IPMAN, MOMAN, DAPPMAN, NOGASA, NARTO are the employers of the Oil workers of the downstream sector.
“I want to believe that it is out of place to say there’s a problem or an issue between members of NOGASA and their workers (PTD-NUPENG) .
“Most members of PTD are not so conversant with the chain of command in the industry and as such, they ignorantly meddle into issues that have not called for their attention.
“We want to make it clear that NOGASA is not having any issue with NUPENG or PTD or any of the branches of NUPENG .
“NOGASA is rather engaging some of her members on issues of internal concern.
“PTD are Tanker Drivers and when tanker owners and Products owners are engaged in dialogue,it is not advisable for their employees to volunteer themselves to interfere on issues that concerns their employers” reads the statement in parts.
