Release 14 Oil Workers, NUPENG Tells Kidnappers

Release 14 Oil Workers, NUPENG Tells Kidnappers

The umbrella body of junior staff in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG, Thursday, condemned and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of 14 oil workers recently kidnapped while returning from Egbema-Ohaji oil field in Imo State, to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The union, in a statement by its President, Comrade Igwe Achese, expressed shock at the kidnap of the 14 workers of Nestoil, an indigenous oil company located in Abuloma, Port Harcourt City Local Government  Area of Rivers State, and called on the security agencies to spread their dragnet to rescue them unhurt.

 NUPENG insisted that the kidnap was one, too many, stressing that all hands must be on deck to protect the lives of oil workers, especially those working at installations. 

The statement said: “We are, therefore, worried about the attack which has made oil workers an endangered specie. We call on the Federal Government to quickly ensure that oil workers returning from the fields are given adequate security. The recent kidnapping of oil workers will further scare foreign investors that will want to bring in the needed foreign capital and expertise to expand projects in the oil and gas sector.

"We want the security agencies to intensify efforts to comb the creeks and make sure the kidnapped oil workers are brought back alive to rejoin their families with no ransom paid and the culprits punished. 

“NUPENG advises those involved in these dastardly acts to retrace their steps and find something meaningful to do. 

"The union enjoins the Federal Government to tackle the economic downturn with vigour so that the current level of unemployment will be drastically reduced. 

"The Federal Government owes it a duty to the citizenry to make things work, reflate the economy, repair dilapidated infrastructure and assist small scale business enterprises to thrive in order to get our restive youth engaged," the union added.