The Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity on Thursday in Abuja met with oil workers’ unions, NUPENG and PENGASSAN, over the three days warning strike.
Malam Kabiru Turaki, the Supervising Minister of the ministry, told the unions and stakeholders that Nigerians were patiently waiting for the outcome of the meeting.
According to Turaki, their primary responsibility was to ensure that everything was done responsibly without further damage to the economy.
He said: “I want us to remember that Nigerians are waiting to see the outcome of this meeting.
“Nigerians can be patient but that does not mean they should be taken for granted.”
Turaki stated that the ministry would ensure peace and harmony in resolving industrial disputes, urging all stakeholders to be positive in the deliberation.
He said: “When dispute of this magnitude arises, the ministry usually gets very concerned.
“It is our primary responsibility to make sure that we manage labour relations among providers of labour, employers of labour and executive managers of labour.
“It is therefore very critical for us in managing this relationship to ensure that level playing ground is provided so that none of the three sides will take undue advantage of the other.
“This is what will ensure industrial harmony and peace and this is what will bring progress for the people and nation.”
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Igwe Achese, expressed the hope that the dispute would be resolved.