The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has urged the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Festus Osifo, to resolve their differences over the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 transport allowance and strengthen unity within the labour movement.
The appeal follows the disagreement between the two labour centres over the proposed allowance, which the TUC leadership rejected, raising concerns about the ability of organised labour to maintain a common position in its engagements with the Federal Government.
PENGASSAN President, Agoro, made the appeal at the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) conference in Lagos, warning that the divisions could weaken labour’s collective bargaining power and undermine its responsibility to protect workers’ interests.
Speaking in his personal capacity while representing Osifo at the event, Agoro urged both labour leaders to embrace dialogue and establish a Memorandum of Understanding to guide their relationship.
He said the two organisations needed to present a united front in their engagements with the Federal Government, warning that internal disagreements could create opportunities for the government to exploit divisions within the labour movement.
Agoro cited the working relationship between the NLC and TUC in Oyo State as an example of how cooperation could strengthen organised labour.
He explained that, as PENGASSAN president and TUC chairman in the state, he had maintained a cordial working relationship with the NLC chairman, Kayode Martins.
According to him, their cooperation had enabled both organisations to speak with one voice during engagements with the state government and secure benefits for workers.
He recalled that their unity became particularly important when the state government shut down the state secretariat, noting that both labour centres worked together and prevented the governor from gaining access until the issues were resolved.
Agoro maintained that the experience demonstrated how a united labour movement could resist attempts by government authorities to exploit disagreements among workers’ representatives.
He urged Ajaero and Osifo to prioritise workers’ welfare above institutional disagreements and establish a framework for sustained cooperation.