Members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Warri Zone, have called off their picketing of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, following a successful negotiation with the university’s management.

 

The development was confirmed by PENGASSAN Chairman at FUPRE, Mr. Francis Falodun, who said the decision to suspend the protest was made in the interest of students and to prevent further disruption of academic activities.

 

Falodun revealed that the university management has committed to paying the outstanding Earned Allowances owed to union members within one week, and also assured that no staff member would be victimised for participating in the protest.

 

“As part of the agreement, management also gave assurances that no union member would be victimised for participating in the protest,” he said.

 

 

 

He also disclosed that discussions are ongoing regarding the formal recognition of the unions by the university, expressing optimism that a positive and constructive relationship would be sustained going forward.

 

Falodun commended union members for their resilience and unity, stating, “Their steadfastness and commitment to the cause brought us this far.”

 

The protest, which began on Wednesday, saw union members blocking access to the university’s main gate with petroleum tankers in response to an internal memo from Vice Chancellor Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba, warning staff against joining the protest and threatening “severe consequences” for defaulters.

 

With the resolution reached, normal activities are expected to resume on campus.