The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) have said that it does not have any issue with National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) or its affiliate the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD).
According to a statement signed by NOGASA President Bennet Korie and made available to journalists Tuesday in Abuja, the Association is engaging with some of its members to find a lasting solution to lingering issues in their various states.
He said, “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 engaging some of her members on issues of internal concern.
“PTD are Tanker Drivers and when tanker owners and product owners are engaged in dialogue, it is not advisable for their employees to volunteer themselves to interfere in issues that concern their employers.”
Korie explained that as stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, it is key that NOGASA find a solution to challenges in the sector through dialogue.
“Gentlemen of the press, 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 such issues surrounding the sector become 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,” he further said.
