The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has denied a Facebook comment alleged posted by a certain individual purporting that the president of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Johnson, over the sale of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The association, in a statement signed by the general-secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, stated that at no time did PENGASSAN’s president issue such statement either to the press or on any mass media platform.
“We are saddened that the said Jomo Iroha could go as far as originating a false news and signing same using the PENGASSAN president’s name,” the union said.
However, the union further clarified its position on the status of NNPC, the four refineries and, to a large extent, the oil and gas industry. It referred the general public to its communique of December 13, 2018, which was published in two national dailies, on January 24, 2019.
PENGASSAN, according to Okugbawa is apolitical, neutral and a trade union of repute with the main objectives of protecting jobs and improving the welfare of its members.
The statement urged the general public to disregard the mischief intended to score cheap political mileage and acceptance, and implored the public, especially the mass media, to utilise to the open door policy of the association and the entire leadership and get clarification on any issue.