Nigerian oil workers have continued an indefinite strike for a third day, demanding the passage of a long-awaited bill aimed at overhauling the country’s oil sector. On Wednesday, the workers continued their nationwide protest action involving members of managerial union Pengassan and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, or Nupeng, its associate for manual workers.
The workers are demanding the adoption of the long-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is aimed at improving oil and gas operations in the country. They have also called on the government to manage corrupt labor practices carried out by the government and oil companies. In addition, the unions have said in an earlier statement that the strike action is also against “the inability of the government to carry out turnaround maintenance of the refineries” and its failure to reduce gas prices after global oil prices dropped.
The Nigerian government has also been accused of failing to fight pipeline vandalism. The workers have also demanded that the government work to improve the country’s neglected roads, which they say is hindering the transportation of oil. The unions have stated that the strike will not end until the government and operators show “a strong commitment” to resolve the problems they face. Although Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer, it imports most of its fuel from other nations due to a lack of refining capacity. Despite the abundance of natural resources in Africa’s biggest economy, a large number of Nigerian people live in poverty.
Culled from Presstv
