By Ebunoluwa Sessou
LAGOS — THE Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, yesterday, urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to ban the activities and operations of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, in private refineries.
The group, which staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly, also called on the National Assembly and Lagos Assembly to intervene in what it described as attempts by oil unions to strangulate the Dangote Refinery through incessant industrial actions and undue interference.
They chanted solidarity songs and pledged continued advocacy for the protection of indigenous investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking during the protest, the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a petition to the House, called for decisive steps to safeguard the operations of the multi-billion-dollar refinery.
Addressing the lawmakers, Akintola said: “We are shocked to find that some elements within the unions have chosen to sit on the refinery’s neck for their check-off dues. Their strike actions have led to a scarcity of fuel and gas, making life difficult for Nigerians.
“We should be proud of an indigenous refinery that is earning foreign exchange for Nigeria and stabilizing the energy sector.”
Responding on behalf of the Assembly, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Communications and Strategy, Mr Stephen Ogundipe, assured the protesters that their grievances would be conveyed to the appropriate authorities.
Ogundipe said: “We appreciate your peaceful conduct and the clarity of your message. This House stands by the people, by the President, and by businesses that bring succour to Nigerians. Your petition will be tabled before the 40-member Assembly, and we will also engage our colleagues at the national level.”
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