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NUPENG suspends planned nationwide strike

Published

2 years ago

December 2, 2021

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The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its planned nationwide strike.

This was confirmed in a statement signed and released by NUPENG’s President, Mr. Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Mr. Afolabi Olawale on Thursday.

The statement said the strike was suspended following the interventions and engagements with government agencies and institutions, including the NNPC.

Some of the resolutions from these engagements include:

“The commencement of the processes to clear all the backlogs of arrears of salaries and allowances owed Contract workers of OML 42 and NAOC before the end of December 2021.

“The agreement and firm commitment to pay a sum of N2,130,000 to each of the former employees of the big six Contractors whose terminal benefits were short paid in 2012 following the closure of the Contract.

“The agreement and firm commitment to pay each of the former contract employees of Ykish and Muyideen one Month Gross Salary per each year served as terminal benefits.”

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The leadership of the union, however, appreciated the roles Mallam Mele Kyari, ( Group Managing Director- NNPC) and his team played in positively resolving the impasse.

NUPENG said: “NNPC management has once again proven to the Union and the nation in general that it can be trusted in the matter of ensuring decency of employment and peaceful industrial relations system in the Nigeria Oil and Gas industry.

“On behalf of the entire rank and file members of our great Union, we promise to reciprocate this commendable effort with hitch-free and effective distribution of Petroleum Products and other Oil and Gas operations to the nation during the forthcoming festive period.

“We also wish to appreciate all our members for their continued commitment and loyalty to Union Cause.
There is no doubt that our solidarity remains constant as the Union makes us strong!”

NUPENG had on Nov. 25 extended a 14-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government by seven days.

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The planned strike was to protest what NUPENG called non-implementation of agreements reached with the government.

News

UPDATED: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

11 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

Ngelale said Tinubu believes that Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience to ensure that no Nigerian student suffers a paucity of funds in the quest for tertiary education.

On April 3, Tinubu signed the student loans amendment bill into law to provide Nigerians with quality and accessible education.

The law will allow Nigerian students in tertiary institutions to access low-interest loans for tuition and other academic needs.

Subsequently, the president appointed Akintunde Sawyerr as the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund.

Tinubu also appointed Frederick Oluwafemi Akinfala as the executive director of finance and administration, while Mustapha Iyal will serve as the executive director of operations of NELFUND.

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JUST IN: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

13 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

More to follow…

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ICPC detains TETFund boss ‘over questionable N7.6bn project’

Published

17 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detained Sonny Echono, executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Demola Bakare, ICPC spokesperson, confirmed the development on Friday.

Bakare said that Echono was invited by the anti-graft agency on Thursday.

“The executive secretary of TETFund is here with us. He has been invited for questioning. He is still in custody. He was invited yesterday.” Bakare said.

“He was invited on Thursday. He has not been released. He’s still with us. Investigation is still ongoing.”

It was earlier reported that TETfund awarded two contracts to Fides Et Ratio Academy and Pole Global Marketing (PGM) within two months at the cost of N3.8 billion respectively without the approval of the federal executive council (FEC), which is required for the contract size.

The contract was to provide capacity building course and learning management systems to about 2 million students across higher institutions in the country.

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In a rejoinder, TETFund said it did not award N7.6 billion contracts to two companies without due process.

The agency said it was wrong to say they were contracts, whereas they were ICT projects implemented under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which doesn’t require competitive bidding in public procurement.

TETFund further said its disbursement guidelines were approved by the president on the recommendation of the “Fund’s Board of Trustees and concurrence of the Honourable Minister of Education in line with the TETFund Act 2011″.

In an interview with TheCable, Echono said there was no form of irregularity in the N7.6 billion project.