PENGASSAN Urges South West Governors to Address Citizens’ Suffering and Distribute Palliatives Effectively

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called on the governors in the South West region to address the suffering of citizens by effectively distributing palliatives and channeling increased allocations towards sustainable socio-economic projects.

The zone, comprising Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Kwara, Oyo, and Ondo states, is facing various challenges that the Association believes can be tackled through these measures.

In a recent Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting in Lagos, the Association’s Zone Chairman, Eyam Abeng, highlighted the need for the Federal Government to fulfill its agreements with labour, including the increment in the minimum wage and the completion of the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries.

PENGASSAN also urged the South West governors to rapidly implement the minimum wages and ensure effective distribution of palliatives materials.

The increased Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations, according to the Association, should be channeled towards verifiable, visible, and sustainable socio-economic projects such as affordable healthcare delivery, infrastructural development, quality education, and enhanced security of life and properties.

The Association further emphasized the need for the government to take practical steps to improve the value of the Naira by increasing productivity, exportation, and reducing importation.

One way to achieve this, according to PENGASSAN, is by providing necessary support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through transparent provision of grants, tax holidays, and improved power availability.

Additionally, PENGASSAN called on the government to invest recovered loot in developmental programmes such as power, education, health, and transportation infrastructures instead of sharing it among the “supposed” poor, which can make such loot be re-looted.

The Association also advised the government to put in all efforts to end the wanton killings and kidnappings by armed bandits and insurgents across the country.