The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) is set to meet the Presidential Implementation Committee on Wednesday to discuss concerns arising from President Bola Tinubu’s recent executive order on oil revenue remittance.
The union, which represents senior staff in the oil and gas industry, has expressed apprehension over the potential impact of the directive on workers and the stability of the sector.
PENGASSAN President Mr. Festus Osifo said discussions have shifted from legal interpretations of the directive to its practical implications for workers.
“The main cause of the disagreement is that while we have said the directive negates the Petroleum Industry Act, the government said they are relying on constitutional provisions,” Osifo said.
He added: “How will this impact our members? Before the PIA, profit oil was paid to the federation account, and the account remitted back a management fee. This management fee is what is being used to cater for the salaries and allowances of our members.”
The union is concerned that the directive could affect hundreds of workers attached to production sharing contracts within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
“There are individuals and comrades who are carrying out the management of these PSCs. They are interfacing with Shell, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, and other operators, reconciling accounts, and ensuring Nigeria is not short-changed. These people must be paid,” Osifo stated.
