PENGASSAN Shuts Down Ministry of Finance over Withholding of Funds
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Tuesday brought activities to a halt at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, as its members protested the withholding of their funds.
The protesters, clad in red t-shirts and armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, converged on the ministry’s premises, chanting solidarity songs and registering their displeasure over the non-payment of their entitlements.
The demonstration, which was peaceful but vocal, caused a significant disruption to the ministry’s operations, with many staff members unable to access the premises or carry out their duties.
According to eyewitnesses, the protesters arrived at the ministry early in the morning, bearing placards with inscriptions such as “Pay Our Entitlements Now,” “We Will Not Be Silenced,” and “PENGASSAN Demands Justice.”
The protesters, who were led by PENGASSAN’s national leaders, chanted slogans and sang solidarity songs, calling on the government to immediately release their withheld funds.
“We are here today to demand that the government pay our entitlements, which have been withheld for months.
“We have been patient, but our patience has worn thin. We will not be ignored or marginalized,” said one of the protesters.
The PENGASSAN leadership has been at loggerheads with the government over the non-payment of their members’ entitlements, which include allowances, bonuses, and other benefits.
The union has accused the government of reneging on its promises to pay the funds, which were agreed upon in a collective bargaining agreement.
The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations and industrial actions by PENGASSAN, which has been seeking to pressure the government into meeting its demands.
The Federal Ministry of Finance has not commented on the protest, but sources within the ministry have confirmed that the government is aware of the union’s grievances and is working to resolve the issue.
However, the PENGASSAN leadership has vowed to continue the protest until its demands are met, warning that the industrial action could escalate and spread to other sectors of the economy if the government fails to act.
The Federal Ministry of Finance has not commented on the protest, but sources within the ministry have confirmed that the government is aware of the union’s grievances and is working to resolve the issue.
However, the government has not provided a timeline for the payment of the withheld funds, sparking concerns that the protest could escalate and spread to other sectors of the economy.
The protest by PENGASSAN has significant implications for the Nigerian economy, particularly the oil and gas sector, which is a critical component of the country’s revenue base.
The industrial action could lead to a disruption in oil production, which could have far-reaching consequences for the economy, including a decline in government revenue, a rise in inflation, and a depreciation of the naira.
The protest also highlights the need for the government to address the grievances of workers in the oil and gas sector, who have been seeking better working conditions, job security, and improved welfare packages.
