
NUPENG, PENGASSAN SLAM NNPC’s EXTERNAL RECRUITMENT DRIVE
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have strongly criticized the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (NNPCL) decision to recruit external staff. This move has sparked concerns among oil workers, who feel that external recruitment undermines the growth and development of existing employees.
*Key Concerns*
– *Unacceptable Recruitment Practice*: NUPENG and PENGASSAN view the external recruitment as detrimental to the company’s performance and employee morale.
– *Lack of Proven Benefits*: The unions argue that past external recruitments have not yielded positive results, citing the 2015 leadership era under Dr. Ibe Kachikwu as an example.
– *Demoralization of Long-Serving Staff*: External appointments are seen as demotivating for long-serving staff members who have dedicated their careers to the company.
*Unions’ Demands*
– *Reversal of External Appointments*: NUPENG and PENGASSAN demand the immediate reversal of external appointments made into M2 positions and below.
– *Industrial Action*: The unions have warned of impending industrial unrest if their demands are ignored, putting the company’s operations at risk.
*What’s Next?*
The situation remains tense, with the unions awaiting a response from NNPC management. If their demands are not met, the industry may face disruptions, affecting oil production and the economy.
The letter, titled ‘Filling of top management positions in NNPC Limited with externally recruited personnel is unacceptable to PENGASSAN and NUPENG GEC’, was signed by GEC Secretary at PENGASSAN, Amaoge Chukwudi; its chairman, Solomon Orieji; and the GEC Secretary at NUPENG, Paulosa Paulosa and its chairman, Baba Kaumi.
The unions said:“We extend our warm congratulations to the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Board Members of NNPC Limited. We wish them success in their new roles and pray for excellence in their assignments.
“However, we must draw urgent attention to a matter of serious concern to avert avoidable consequences. Based on past experiences, we have observed a recurring trend whenever a new GCEO is appointed externally – the temptation to fill top management positions with external recruitment rather than promoting staff members from within NNPC Ltd.
“As a matter of caution, we must state clearly that we cannot accept, accommodate, or support the recruitment of senior and Management staff from outside NNPC Limited and that any plan in such direction be stopped immediately,” the letter read in part.
According to the unions, NNPC Limited is home to thousands of experienced, competent, and dedicated Nigerian professionals across various fields.
They maintained that these individuals, who include their members, have dedicated quality years to sustaining the legacies of the company and are eager to take on higher responsibilities.
They said:“Denying them career advancement opportunities and overlooking them in favor of external recruitment is grossly unjust and wasteful, and it will also disrupt the company’s steady progress towards greater profitability and efficiency.
“We must therefore caution against any unjust action that undermines the career growth of deserving staff members of our company. If this warning is ignored, we cannot guarantee the continuation of industrial harmony within NNPC Limited.”
They warned that the letter serves to put the management and the Board of NNPC Limited on notice that PENGASSAN and NUPENG categorically reject any recruitment or appointment of senior or management staff above the SS6 cadre (specifically within the SS5 to M2 cadre) from outside the organisation.
“Any attempt to do so will be met with strong resistance, including a total shutdown of operations. Please accept our assurances of continued support and regards,” they added.