PENGASSAN decries oil workers’ kidnap

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Department of Petroleum Branch (PENGASSAN DPR Branch) has decried the high level of insecurity in the oil and gas industry which is hindering the smooth conduct of its regulatory functions in the industry.  Chairman of PENGASSAN DPR Branch, Comrade Amba Ndoma Egba said this during […]

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Department of Petroleum Branch (PENGASSAN DPR Branch) has decried the high level of insecurity in the oil and gas industry which is hindering the smooth conduct of its regulatory functions in the industry.
 Chairman of PENGASSAN DPR Branch, Comrade Amba Ndoma Egba said this during the 4th Triennial Branch Delegates Conference with the theme, “The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Transformation of the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria”, held in Abuja on Thursday.
He noted that the incessant pipeline vandalism and oil theft is making the country lose huge revenues with its harmful impact on the environment while calling on the government to take decisive steps in tackling it.
He said “Oil and gas workers and their family members have continued to be victims of kidnapping, assault and murder. Just recently, three of our staff were kidnapped in Bayelsa state while carrying out their legitimate duties. This development, if not checked will hamper the progress of our nation.  The National Assembly should also look at the option of passing an anti-kidnapping bill into law. The bill should prescribe serious punishment for any offender.”
Egba said there is a need to have an independent regulator of the oil and gas industry, saying if passed, the Petroleum Industry Bill will help achieve this.