Labor unions react as NNPC undergoes restructuring

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had recently announced a major re-organisation of its management structure, which resulted in 54 new appointments.  The restructuring exercise at the NNPC by its Group Managing Director, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, gave rise to the appointments of new managers into the corporation, as well as the redeployment of units’ heads.

Some labour union members and employees of the firm explained that the re-organisation was causing apprehension among the workers, as it appears like a disguised move to relieve workers of their jobs, notwithstanding the promises made to them. it was learnt that the re-organisation at the firm affected most senior officials at the corporation and most of them had yet to fully settle down to perform their roles.  

However, Kachikwu has opined that the restructuring at the national oil firm, is in a bid to make it a profitable venture. This development resulted in a nationwide strike by key labour unions in the oil and gas sector – the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.

The one-day industrial action heightened the scarcity of petroleum products across the country and also impacted negatively on electricity generation by power producers. However, the NNPC had assured that it was doing all it could to address the petrol scarcity.