FUEL SCARCITY IMINENT IN AKWA IBOM: …AS NUPENG AND SEPTA ENERGY CLASH

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (Sepa Energy) Chapter, Ikot Abasi has drawn the battle with Septa Energey, In Ikot Abasi. This follows a long drawn battle between aggrieved members of the union and the management of the above mentioned company.

Narrating their ordeal to our reporter, the acting Chairman; Comrade Udeme Godwin Edem disclosed that they were locked out by the company since 24^th August, 2010, by the company for forming a union of workers, adding that’s since then, the company stopped paying them their wages.

He further stated that they have unsuccessfully made series of attempt, using legal and constitutional means to seek redress. According to him, thugs, believed to be sponsored by government forces, to protect what he described as “unpopular” interest, killed one of the protesting workers, during a meeting between the union and the management of the company at the Federal Ministry of labour and Productivity, in  uyo in 2010. The chairman noted that the company does not want the workers to have a leadership, so they can continue depriving them of their rights and privileges and enslave then in Ikot Abasi.

Further investigating revealed that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, through the Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations Department, set up an arbitration tribunal to consider the facts and circumstances surrounding the crisis. They came out with the following verdicts, amongst others; “That the workers should be given freedom to unionize and should be recognized by the company, That With effect from 20^th May, 2010. That the management of Septa Energy should pay the salaries, allowances and all entitlements of all workers locked out since August 2010, with effect from September 2010.” He said its regrettable that up till date, the company has refused to heed the verdict of the arbitration.

 “A couple of days ago, we observed that the same company has brought the instrument  to resume work in the same area. What pain us is that they have come with a clause that none of those locked – out since 2010 should be employed”.

“We are reliably informed that the company has paid huge sum of money to security agencies for protection. We are also told that they have brought suspect militant from Port Harcourt in the guise of workers to ignite trouble if we make any attempt of protesting,  we are law Abiding and have total respect for the rule of law. But we want to use this medium to appeal to the relevant authorities to call them to order before the crisis gets out of control.  A stitch in time saves nine. We have every evident to believe that the state Government is strongly behind the company’s, inhumanity to us. They maintained.

“We are not warning or threatening but appealing that SEPTA ENERGY should comply with the Arbitration Tribunal verdict, else NUPENG may be force to withdraw their Service in Akwa Ibom  and we will experience, not only fuel Scarcity but all natural gas and other forms of our products.”  

As I am speaking, Ikot Abasi is on fire, our youths,  especially those who were locked -out without Salaries are crying out for justice. We want peace, this is why we decide to use legitimate means like the media to air our grievances.