PENGASSAN raises alarm over unsafe oil practices in installations, say Nigerians’ lives in danger
.Advise govt against inconsistency in policy changes
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has raised concern over what it described as persistent unsafe practices in oil installations, cautioning that operators that are avoiding the right process would put the lives of Nigerian workers in danger.
President of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo who spoke at the opening of the 2025 Energy and Labour Summit (PEALS) in Abuja Wednesday, lamented the disturbing practices in some offshore fields, where human beings were seen using ropes to offload materials from boats, instead of cranes.
He said: “This is happening in some of the oil and gas installations in Nigeria. Just imagine the cost to human lives. If any of them falls into the waterway, they are gone. Life is truly precious”.
Osifo flashed back to the October 24, 2024 helicopter crash around Bonny, which killed three members of the union, emphasising that safety in the sector must never be taken for granted..
According to him: “The true measure of stewardship is ensuring every worker returns home safely. Unsafe conditions must never be the price of resilience”,.
The PENGASSAN president further warned against incessant policy changes in the sector, particularly recent amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which he said have unsettled investors.
He noted that: “Policy summersault and frequent changes to laws do not aid stability. At best, it is a disincentive to investment.”
Speaking on environmental and governance issues, Osifo said gas flaring must end and polluted sites restored, stating that global financial institutions now demand strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance from oil firms.
On his part, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, pledged government’s commitment to PENGASSAN’S safety, decent wages, and skills development.
Dingyadi also reaffirmed government’s commitment to working closely with unions and regulators to raise health, safety, and environment standards in the country.
He said: “We all know that health and safety Are non-negotiable pillars of any resilient energy system. Therefore, advancing our HSE standards Is not optional. The cost of negligence is far greater than the investment in prevention,”.
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