by ‘Jola Sotubo

 The wave of strikes that has hit the country might just assume tidal status as yet another organization has disclosed its plans to embark on an industrial action.

In solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has said that it will embark on a strike of its own in support of the university body unless the Federal Government fulfills its part of the agreement that was signed by both parties.

NUPENG, through its National President Igwe Achese, said that the FG was unperturbed by the situation because none of the leaders’ children was attending any of the affected schools.

Daily Post reports:

NUPENG President, Igwe Achese, while speaking at the Union’s National Administrative Council, NAC, meeting, in Lagos, expressed worry over the state of Nigerian universities.

He said government’s failure to respect agreements had resulted to strikes in different sectors of the Nigerian system since the inception of 2013.

He said, “We appeal to government to implement agreement reached with ASUU so that students can go back to school. If the crisis in the sector is not resolved, we will soon direct our members to embark on solidarity strike.”

Blaming the Ministry of Labour over the ongoing saga, he said, “The Ministry of Labour needs to be proactive if we must get these issues nipped in the bud. The ministry also needs to make sure that agreements reached or communiqué signed are implemented.

“The Ministry has a big role to play to avert strikes in the country. When unions begin to lose faith in the ministry that is when we have this kind of crisis. The Labour mMinister should be firm in making sure that the right decisions are taken.

“As it is now, every activity in the Ministry of Labour is in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, which ought not to be so. The role of the SGF should be to intervene only when the need arises.”