The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called on the Federal Government to immediately name and prosecute sponsors of terrorism in the country, warning that the rising wave of kidnappings and insecurity poses a serious threat to national development.
Naijaonpoint reports that the union’s president, Festus Osifo, made the call on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference following the union’s National Executive Council meeting.
“We have all seen how insecurity has been plaguing our land, how this particular challenge has worsened in the last few weeks,” Osifo said.
“Yes, we just received that a new Minister of Defence will be sworn in in the next few hours or thereabouts. But beyond changing personnel, beyond bringing in one personnel to replace the other… the government, both at the federal, state and local levels, should do everything possible to curb this mess.”
He added, “We have heard several times when they tell us that they know the sponsors of these terrorists; the question is, where are the sponsors? Why haven’t you named the sponsors? Why haven’t you exposed the sponsors? Why haven’t you gone after them, taken them to the lock-up and got them convicted to serve as deterrents to others?”
Osifo expressed frustration at repeated government statements without action.
“We are tired of always having one minute’s silence for our brothers and our sisters. We are tired of always coming up to keep condemning and condemning. Beyond condemnation, beyond rhetoric, the government… should divert funds from non-critical sectors and use them to buy sophisticated equipment to go after these terrorists.
“It is a country that is safe… that will be talking about the construction of roads, investment in any other sector,” He stressed.
Call for State Police, Not Rhetoric
The PENGASSAN president also criticised the delay in establishing state police, describing it as a necessity, not an option.
“Today, state police has become a child that was born today. They know what state police is. We are demanding and shouting that one of the ways to treat any federation in the world and protect its citizens is by decentralising our police system. But today, the politicians are still engaged in rhetoric,” the union stated.
Highlighting the toll on education, Osifo said some schools in northern Nigeria have shut down due to insecurity, leaving children unable to take examinations.
“A child who ought to be writing exams by now is locked in the house because they could not go to school as a result of terrorism,” he lamented.
He urged the government to seek international partnerships but stressed that Nigerians must take the lead in solving their own security crisis.
“Yes, we can ask for assistance. Yes, we can ask for a partnership. But we are the ones who will take the lead. That is the sad reality. So we must brace up. We must be strong. The government must act decisively. These kidnappings must stop,” Osifo noted.
Senate, Reps Demand Public Naming of Sponsors
Naijaonpoint reports that PENGASSAN’s call comes a day after the National Assembly demanded that the government publicly name terrorism financiers.
The Senate and House of Representatives called for the exposure of terrorism sponsors during Wednesday’s plenary sessions, urging broader powers for security agencies.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, in a motion, proposed the classification of kidnapping and hostage-taking as terrorism.
“This is not a mere crime. It is terrorism in its purest form,” Bamidele declared.
He also stressed that the death penalty should apply not only to kidnappers but to their “informants, logistics providers, harbourers, transporters, and anyone who knowingly assists, facilitates, or supports kidnapping operations.”
He added that “attempt, conspiracy or incitement to kidnap attracts the same penalty.”
Rising Prices, Economic Pain Despite FG Claims
On the economic front, Osifo criticised the disparity between macroeconomic reports and the lived experiences of Nigerians.
“It is not sufficient to tell us that the exchange rate is coming down… that inflation is coming down… that we’ve met our revenue target for the year,” he said.
“What the average Nigerian wants to see is how all this translates to food on the table… From macro to micro, this is what affects the everyday Nigerian.”
He urged synergy between fiscal and monetary authorities to ensure food prices are addressed and farmers can safely return to their fields.
Dangote Refinery Dispute Still Unresolved
Updating on the union’s unresolved industrial action against Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, Osifo said negotiations are ongoing but key issues remain. He said, “There are still a lot of pending issues… The NEC decided we should still push those issues, by engaging in dialogue to resolve them… and by engaging our social partners and stakeholders.”
He warned that while PENGASSAN prefers negotiation, it would not hesitate to take action if needed.
Osifo called on oil and gas firms to review wages in line with currency devaluation, warning of brain drain due to global demand for skilled Nigerian workers.
“A drilling engineer in Nigeria is doing the same job as one in the United States or Abu Dhabi. Companies must provide competitive conditions to retain the best talent,” he said.
The event also marked the retirement of the union’s General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, who stepped down at 60.
In his farewell remarks, Okugbawa underscored the role of organised labour in protecting workers’ rights.
“Labour should use its brain and strength to confront capital. Capital will always try to maximise profit, but through capacity building, data and advocacy, workers can achieve better conditions,” he said.
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