The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has threatened to suspend operations over the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly.<\/p>\n
PENGASSAN’s President, Mr Babatunde Ogun, gave the warning in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The statement warned that if politicians cannot conduct themselves in a manner expected of their status, the union would not hesitate to withdraw the services of oil workers to ensure their safety.<\/p>\n
” The state of fear that pervades Rivers is a threat to the lives and safety of oil and gas workers and the entire industry.”<\/p>\n
It said that the crisis was an indication that the government may not be able to guarantee the security and protect the lives and property of the people.<\/p>\n
It condemned the violent action in the assembly on Tuesday, describing it as `a slap on Nigeria\u2019s democracy and the constitution.\u2019<\/p>\n
The statement said the crisis could lead to breakdown of law and order that could affect not only the state, but spread to other parts of the country if not nipped in the bud.<\/p>\n
It stated that the violent action showed that some politicians lacked respect for the Constitution and elementary democratic decorum.<\/p>\n
“That is why we would not risk the lives of our members and may have to withdraw them until the situation is under control”, it stressed.<\/p>\n
The statement said it was regrettable to note that those trying to subvert democracy never fought for it.<\/p>\n
“Several people, especially labour leaders, died for our democracy to be achieved. Some of us were incarcerated during the struggle to attain this democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement urged all parties and individuals involved in the crisis to take cognisance of the root causes of the crisis and pursue the path of peace by reconciling their differences. (NAN)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has threatened to suspend operations over the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly. PENGASSAN’s President, Mr Babatunde…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15350,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n