The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has lauded the Federal Government for the resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery following its successful rehabilitation.
According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the refinery began processing crude oil on Tuesday, with products expected to be loaded before Friday.
Speaking at the end of the TUC’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the union’s President, Comrade Festus Osifo, urged the government to fast-track work on other refineries across the country.
Osifo stated that the combined capacities of the Port Harcourt, Warri, Kaduna, and the new Port Harcourt refineries could process up to 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily. He emphasized that the full operation of these refineries would dismantle monopolies and foster healthy competition in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry.
“We have heard reports that the Port Harcourt refinery has resumed processing crude, but we are working to validate this claim.
“Beyond the old Port Harcourt Refinery, we urge the government to expedite work on Warri, Kaduna, and the new Port Harcourt refineries. These facilities collectively hold the capacity to process close to 400,000 barrels per day. Operationalizing them will eliminate monopolies and introduce competition in the downstream oil sector,” Osifo said.
On workers’ welfare, Osifo called on states yet to announce their minimum wage figures to do so immediately. He also urged those that have made pronouncements to finalize consequential adjustments to enable workers to enjoy the full benefits of the new wage structure.
“The Minimum Wage Act was signed into law in July, yet many states are still lagging behind. While some states have announced their figures, most have not implemented the necessary consequential adjustments. Workers are waiting for action, not just announcements,” Osifo said.
Osifo highlighted Cross River State, where a two-day warning strike is ongoing due to the government’s non-responsiveness on the minimum wage issue.
He also criticised Zamfara State for failing to constitute a committee to address the matter.
“We call on all governors to urgently prioritize the welfare of their workers. There must be meaningful engagement with organized labour to ensure that the new minimum wage is implemented alongside proper consequential adjustments,” Osifo added.
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