By Tina Amanda
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has called on the federal government to embark on the process of rebirth and reorientation in order to address the numerous challenges faced by the nation, such as corruption, insecurity, lack of efficient governance, infrastructure amongst others.
PENGASSAN President, Comrade Festus Osifo, made the call while speaking to journalists during the Union National Executive Council meeting, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to him, the nation’s economy has experienced ups and downs, resulting in hardships for many citizens which requires an effective reorientation campaign and national rebirth.
Osifo maintained that the country must eradicate corruption by strengthening the anti-corruption agencies, enforcing strict penalties for offenders, and promoting a culture of integrity and accountability in both the public and private sectors.
“Our economy has experienced ups and downs, it is high time we address these issues head-on and embark on a journey of rebirth and reorientation as a nation. To begin this journey, we must prioritize education.
“Education serves as the foundation
upon which enlightened citizens are built. It is through education that the minds of Nigerian people can be awakened, critical thinking can be promoted, and a sense of national pride can be fostered.
“We must invest in our educational infrastructure, support our teachers, and ensure access to quality education for all. We must engage our youth, for they are the future torchbearers of our nation.
“It is high time we redirect their energy, passion, and innovative spirit towards
nation-building activities. We can achieve this by creating employment opportunities, supporting entrepreneurship, and providing mentorship programs that empower our young people to become active participants in shaping Nigeria’s destiny.
“To achieve genuine rebirth and meaningful reorientation, we must eradicate corruption. Corruption robs us of resources that could be utilized for the betterment of our nation.
“We need to strengthen our anti-corruption agencies, enforce strict penalties for offenders, and promote a culture of integrity and accountability in both the public and private sectors.
“Furthermore, we must encourage citizens to report corruption
without fear of retribution and reward those who stand up against this vice.
We demand to see a reinvigorated National Orientation Agency propelled by its supervising agency with support from all levels of government”.
The Union also urged the federal government to encourage the establishment of local refineries to boost crude oil production in the country and strengthen the nation’s economy.
“Establishing local refineries will significantly bring down the high cost of petroleum products, alleviate the financial burden on citizens and stimulate the nation’s economy.
“It would enhance national security by reducing our dependence on imported petroleum products, we would be less vulnerable to supply disruptions or political tensions in other countries. This would strengthen our energy security and ensure the stability of our economy.
“Local refining would create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth. The establishment of refineries across the country would require a skilled workforce and would attract investments, leading to the creation of thousands of direct and indirect
jobs.
“This would not only reduce unemployment but also contribute to the overall development of local communities.
“We demand for the umpteenth time, that the federal government of Nigeria take bold steps to encourage local refining of crude oil. It is time for
us to unlock our potential and seize control of our energy future.
“The ongoing rehabilitation of the existing refineries must be sustained even as we await the contribution of the Dangote refinery and other licensed Modular Refineries”.
He however said that the thirty-five thousand naira wage award by the federal government will help to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on workers, noting that labour will continue to demand improved welfare for workers in the country.
