The federal government has been tasked to provide alternatives by fixing the nation’s refineries before embarking on subsidy removal.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigerian (PENGASSAN) newly elected zonal Chairman of Port Harcourt zone, Comrade George Nwoko, stated this to journalists while delivering his acceptance speech shortly after the successful conclusion of the 7th Triennial Zonal Delegate Conference held in Port Harcourt.
According to him, subsidy removal has been on the front burner of discourse for the Union National Leadership, knowing that the masses suffer the brunt of subsidy removal as goods and services will increase in price.
Comrade Nwoko maintained that the Union is not against subsidy removal but needs to know where the government plans to channel the funds that will be removed from the subsidy.
“Over the years, the Union has made its stand known on subsidy through its National Leadership. It has been the position of the Union that before subsidy would be removed, refineries should be kept working, and that we have always advocated for.
“We are not against subsidy removal, but we need to know what the government is doing to provide alternatives by fixing the refineries before they remove the subsidy. We also need to know where the fund has been in subsidies and which areas are government plans.
“The Union has to be carried along because we know the impact of subsidy removal on the masses without fixing the refineries. We have always said that the people on the street are the worst hit when you remove subsidies without alternatives because the goods and services will increase.”We need to see our refineries working; enormous benefits it will expand the scope of employment.
“As a Union, we are out to support good policies that will enhance the welfare of our members and the general public”.Comrade Nwoko further assured that his leadership will work towards improving the welfare of her members.
“I and my team are grateful for the mandate given to us; we will ensure we carry on with the core values of our coming together, which is to secure our members’ jobs and improve their welfare. We will strictly abide by the constitution of PENGASSAN, and we will integrate the good policies of the Union from the National to the zone.
“We will ensure we align completely with great vision of our president. We will collaborate with stakeholders and government to ensure that policies are favourable to the Union and workers in all the nine states covered by our zone.
“We know the task ahead; we are ready and will carry all the members along to ensure no division. We will work with everyone, unite the association in the Port Harcourt zone, and work with the outgoing executive; we will work as a team.
“We will run an open door policy and welcome advice, and suggestions.”
The newly elected PENGASSAN Chairman of Port Harcourt zone, Comrade George Nwoko, emerged winner at the 7th Triennial Delegate Conference with 93 votes defeating his opponent Peter Onita who scored 81 votes, while the Vice Chairman Newton Ichipi was unopposed.
Other Excos are Nnanna Okeke -Secretary, Lukas Emmanuel – PRO; Olutayo Akande – IRO, Oscar Shuaibu – Financial Secretary, Rex Orji – Treasurer, Ugochukwu Onyeador – Assistant Secretary, Joy Nwanosike – WIP, and Fidelis Udoka – Auditor.
