Minister of State for Health, Ishaq Salako, says the proposed nationwide strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, will affect hospitals across the country because of their reliance on fuel-powered generators.
Salako issued this warning on Monday while responding to questions in an interview on ‘Sunrise Daily’, a program on Channels Television.
He stated, “A NUPENG strike will undoubtedly have an impact on the health sector, as our hospitals are currently 65 to 80 percent reliant on diesel and petrol generators.”
Therefore, a strike will also negatively impact the health sector, which is obviously not what you want.
However, the minister urged both sides of the conflict to use restraint for the sake of the general public.
“My point is to urge both sides to let reason win out; the average person needs to be at the forefront of the conversation. As correctly noted, any NUPENG strike will undoubtedly cause significant disruptions to social and economic activities. Thus, a strike is not what we want.
I would simply argue that a balance must be struck. Dangote is attempting to strengthen our domestic capabilities and is playing a significant role in the economy. The freedom to associate and form a union is another right, but it needs to be balanced,” he continued.
In retaliation for alleged actions by the Dangote Refinery to bar its compressed natural gas (CNG) and tanker drivers from joining labor unions, NUPENG declared on Friday that its members would stop working on September 8.
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