PRESS RELEASE
NUPENG WARNS GOVERNORS ON DIVERSION OF PARIS CLUB REFUND
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) commends Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari for the release of the 50 percent Paris Club debt refund to the 36 states Governors to enable them pay salary arrears before Christmas.
The Union states that it is a good policy direction to end the sufferings of workers and pensioners in 21 States where they are owed out of the 36 States that makes up the federation.
NUPENG warns that it will be unfair and unjustifiable for any of the Governors to divert the funds to feather their nests in their 2019 re-election bid or for other political agenda.
The Union is disappointed at the State Governors outbursts that President Muhammadu Buhari did not tell them to clear all salaries arrears before Christmas. This shows the level of insincerity, unseriousness and insensitivity on the plight of Nigerian Workers.
The Union is also taken aback by the utterances of the Governors that the 50 percent Paris Club balance will not be enough to offset salary arrears.
The Union believes that the Governors are selfish, parochial and don’t have the interest of the masses at heart by owing workers salaries for about 6 – 10 months.
The Union warns that the attitude of the Governors portends danger that can cause revolt and prolonged industrial crisis, if they refuse to obey President Buhari’s order to use the money to pay backlog of salaries owed.
NUPENG calls on the President to set up an independent monitoring team to know how the State Governors spent the monies and where cases of diversion are established, the State Governors should be sanctioned.
Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese
President, NUPENG
