NUPENG Strike to Impact Hospital Services — Health Minister

NUPENG directed its members to protest against alleged moves by the Dangote Refinery to prevent its CNG tanker drivers from joining labour unions.

The Minister of State for Health, Isaq Salako, has warned that a nationwide strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) would severely impact hospitals across the country due to their reliance on fuel-powered generators.

Salako spoke in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday.

“A strike by NUPENG will obviously affect the health sector because, as it is today, our hospitals are 65 to 80 per cent dependent on diesel and petrol generators.

“So if there is a strike, it will also have an adverse effect on the health sector, and you obviously don’t want that.”

He appealed to both parties in the dispute to exercise restraint in the interest of the public.

“My comment is to appeal to both parties to allow reason to prevail; the ordinary citizen must be at the centre of the discussion. As rightly observed, any strike by NUPENG will certainly disrupt a lot of things, economic activities and social activities. So, we don’t want a strike.

“I’d just appeal that a balance needs to be reached. Dangote is playing an important role in the economy, trying to improve our domestic capacities. There is also the right to associate and unionise, but that must be balanced.”

Source: Channels