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Oritsetimeyin Oil Rig: ‘Stop Igniting Industrial Crisis In Nig & We’re Surely Not Party Of Your Strike Threat’- PTD Tells NUPENG*
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has decried the strike mongering posture of its parent body in reaction to the alleged deployment of troops that reportedly chased away members of the union from the Oritsetimeyin oil rig.
PTD also used the moment to reassure Nigerians and the entire stakeholders in the petroleum industry downstream sector that it would do everything possible within its power to stop NUPENG from making do its threat, an action which it said could further cripple the economy of the country and increase people’s hardship and hunger.
The union also maintained that Tanker Drivers would no longer work against the progressive and seamless policies of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or be an attack dog to the government under the current leadership of NUPENG.
A leader from the Port Harcourt Zone of PTD Comrade Chief Joseph Dagogo-Jack (JP) made this disclosure in Abuja on Friday, November 8, 2024 during a parley with newsmen at Top Rank Galaxy hotel around 2pm, Nigerian time.
Dagogo-Jack also appealed to PTD members across the country to go about their normal duties in actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu as it concerns the oil sector.
“What NUPENG is currently facing at the Oritsetimeyin oil rig is a reflection of failure and lack of direction by its leadership as presently constituted, especially the office of the General Secretary, occupied by Afolabi Olawale. Here is a leadership that took it’s members in PTD to Court with the intention to jail them, leadership that set up and sacked its secretariat staff over trump up charges, leadership that demoted its staff and suspended several members, leadership that flagrantly disobeyed court orders and has been serially slammed with contempt of court, leadership with no prudence, discipline, transparency, probity and accountability, leadership full of high-handedness .
“Leadership that has completely destroyed all the Branches under the umbrella body of NUPENG, that is the same leadership struggling to get national relevance and attempting fight for workers at the rig whose fundamental rights were violated. NUPENG can get nothing done positively until it mend its fence and allow PTD to breathe, otherwise it can make any progress. It has set dangerous precedents for itself and it therefore needs to urgently do self introspection and restitution and as well accord leadership legitimacy to PTD led group of Comrade Lucky Osesua and his entire team.
“It is crystal clear that NUPENG has failed completely to cater to the needs and interests of its members across board, no wonder it now sees the Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) as a threat to its existence having noticed that ADITOP is now ready and prepared to offer better deal to Tanker Drivers with a robust Collective Bargaining Agreement, security of tenure, protection from health and safety hazards, and with the poise to come up with relevant training on health and safety, among other juicy packages, which NUPENG has failed to do over the years but only sees PTD as a cash cow, yet its members are being impoverished through NUPENG’s policies and programmes. NUPENG needs to understand the beauty of democracy, NUPENG cannot continue to enjoy the monopoly of freedom of association and assembly in the oil and gas sector, our constitution is very clear about that.
“We must however reiterate that PTD is a recognised association of its own and wants to concentrate on its main core objectives and we are also using this opportunity to also appeal to security agencies to always assist and work in a friendly manner with our members at all times. Our members should also know that PTD will soon call for a national executive council meeting to treat the issues within the PTD and effectively regularise our activities within.
“We call on all national executive members, both past and present, to unite and come together towards ensuring an amicable resolution and smooth sailing of PTD, as without peace and unity, the association will not move forward. The national chairman, Lucky Osesua, his deputies Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Comrade (Chief) Peter Moudebelu (Onwa) and the national secretary, Humble Power Obinna and other executives of the PTD branch are ready to work with everyone, and we offer an olive branch to the opposition to contribute their quota to the growth of PTD.
“I want to also assure the Nigerian people that we mean well for the country and shall never in any way inflict pain or injury on the masses. Although we are worried about the disturbing action of some overzealous security personnel, we believe with dialogue, we can still maintain industrial harmony and peace within the petroleum industry value chain. Notwithstanding, workers’ rights and the sanctity of negotiated agreements at Oritsetimeyin oil rig should not be compromised under any guise.
“It must be noted and placed on record that PTD cannot, through our action, add to the current hardship and cry of hunger by vulnerable Nigerians by engaging in any industrial tension under a fragile and weak economy that is currently screaming for help. That will be irresponsible and totally unpatriotic of us should we join NUPENG in any needless strike at a time like this,” the labour leader (Dagogo-Jack) stated.
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See Photos of World’s Tallest and Shortest Women Meet for Afternoon Tea in London
The world’s tallest woman and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time this week, sipping tea from china cups — and bonding over what they have in common while celebrating their differences.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, stands at 7 feet and 0.7 inches, while Jyoti Amge, from India, is 2 feet and 0.7 inches.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
“You’re so beautiful,” said Gelgi, 27. “Thank you — you too,” replied Amge, 30.
Their meeting, over afternoon tea at London’s Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, came ahead of Guinness World Records Day, which is held annually in November to mark record-breaking achievements and encourage people to attempt records. The pair have been honored as “World Record icons” in the 70th anniversary edition of the Guinness World Records book.
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“Meeting Jyoti for the first time was wonderful,” Gelgi said in a release Wednesday. “She’s the most gorgeous lady. I was waiting to meet her for a long time.”
Gelgi said the pair bonded over their love for makeup, jewelry and doing their nails.
Video footage showed them sitting down for tea, cakes and sandwiches stacked next to them, with the London Eye visible from the window.
Amge said in the release that she was “so happy to look up” and see the world’s tallest woman, whom she called “good-natured.” She added that it was difficult at times for the pair to make eye contact “due to our height difference.”
“Guinness World Records is all about celebrating differences,” its editor in chief, Craig Glenday, said in a statement ahead of Guinness World Record Day, which is on Thursday.
“By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us,” Glenday said.
Gelgi’s record-breaking height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome, which causes rapid growth, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
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The primary symptom is growth and bone development that occurs faster than usual, making those affected taller than average. People with Weaver syndrome may have rigid muscles and difficulty extending their elbows or knees.
Gelgi used a walking aid for support during the pair’s meeting. Her case of Weaver syndrome was the 27th ever diagnosed and the first in Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Weaver syndrome is generally caused by changes in the EZH2 gene, according to the NORD, though the organization notes that some people with Weaver syndrome do not have a mutation in the gene.
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Amge, an actor who played the character of Ma Petite in the television series “American Horror Story,” has a genetic growth disorder that occurs in the early stages of fetal development, known as achondroplasia.
According to Johns Hopkins, the condition causes shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones and shorter stature. While the genetic defect can be passed from parent to child, in about 80 percent of cases, achondroplasia results from a spontaneous mutation that occurs in the developing embryo.
On Thursday, Gelgi shared photos on Instagram of the two exploring London despite the cold weather, posing side by side in front of Tower Bridge.
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