Fresh details have emerged on the reasons behind the indefinite nationwide strike declared by workers of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The industrial action, which began on Monday, has reportedly paralysed regulatory operations at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja and its field offices across the country.
According to information obtained by The Witness from sources familiar with the dispute, the strike was triggered by disagreements between the union and the commission’s management over staff training programmes.
Sources disclosed that workers shut down NUPRC offices nationwide following a breakdown in negotiations concerning the conduct of capacity-building initiatives, particularly whether such programmes should be held locally or overseas.
A source told The Witness that management had advocated for local training as part of efforts to reduce costs and strengthen institutional capacity within Nigeria.
“Management had insisted that training programmes, especially those related to Factory Acceptance Tests for Positive Displacement (PD) Meters, be conducted within Nigeria to reduce costs and strengthen local institutional capacity. This position was, however, rejected by the workers,” the source said.
The source added that the disagreement escalated after both parties failed to reach a compromise, prompting the union to commence the indefinite strike action.
Meanwhile, representatives of the union and the commission’s management are currently engaged in discussions with the Office of the National Security Adviser in a bid to resolve the impasse and restore normal operations.
