Thursday, July 16, 2026

Poor Welfare: NUPRC staff protest, give management 24 hours to address grievances

The chairman said the protest became necessary following the nonchalant response of the management towards resolving the issues.

• August 1, 2023
Protesting workers outside Utako office of NUPRC in Abuja.
Protesting workers outside Utako office of NUPRC in Abuja.(Credit: News Agency of Nigeria)

Some members of staff of the Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Tuesday besieged the offices of the commission in Jabi and Utako, Abuja, in protest of alleged poor welfare.

The protesting workers, under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), gave the management a 24-hour ultimatum to address their grievances or face industrial unrest.

The union chairman in Abuja, Okechukwu Anya, told journalists that the peaceful protest was to draw management’s attention to resolve staff welfare issues.

Mr Anya identified the issues as non-remittance of pension deductions from staff salaries, poor working environment, insufficient working tools, unpaid staff claims and on-call allowances.

He said other issues were staff medicals, seven months of outstanding salary payments, and non-payment of outsourced personnel.

The chairman said the protest became necessary following the nonchalant response of the management towards resolving the issues.

He said the union had written several letters to the management to resolve the issues, but it failed to do so.

He said the protest was in line with their constitutional rights to express their grievances and seek redress, especially on issues affecting their welfare, economic rights, and working conditions.

“We are appealing to the management of the commission to uphold their commitment to their workforce.

“We will continue to voice our displeasure until all issues are satisfactorily resolved,” he said.

The security officers at the offices locked the premises and denied the protesters access.

The workers later disperse with no response from the management.

When contacted, the public relation officer of the commission, Adamu Garba, declined comments on grounds that he was on leave and directed that all enquiries should be directed to his deputy, Carol Chika.

However, Ms Chika did not pick up her calls. 

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Osun State Map

States

Two dead, four injured in Osun violent clashes: Police

The police public relations officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said on Thursday that the incidents occurred on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

FRSC

NationWide

FRSC inaugurates quarters, reaffirms commitment to personnel welfare

Mr Mohammed described the project as another major milestone in the FRSC’s commitment to improving the welfare of its personnel through affordable and sustainable housing schemes.

Armed policemen in Benue State.

States

Joint security forces foil armed robbery in Imo, nab suspect 

Mr Okoye said that the residents had noticed highly suspicious activity in the neighbourhood.

Hot news Home top

Trump issues new rule limiting international student visas to four years

Under the rule, students on F visas and exchange visitors on J visas will only be able to stay in the US during the length of their programme up to four years.

NationWide

Atiku knocks Tinubu over silence on lady who died in works minister Umahi’s residence

Mr Atiku said, “And through all of this, silence from the Presidency. Silence from the Federal Executive Council. Silence from the Inspector-General of Police.”

WaterAid logo

Lagos

WaterAid inaugurates 20,000-litre solar-powered water facility in Lagos community

Ms Mere described the project as a milestone in expanding access to safe water.