Nigeria can’t defeat insecurity while poverty rages, PENGASSAN warns

The fight against insecurity in Nigeria will remain an uphill battle unless governments at all tiers urgently confront rising poverty and improve living conditions, according to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo emphasized that the economic hardship gripping the nation extends beyond organized labor. He noted that individuals with relatively good salaries are increasingly strained by the financial needs of relatives, neighbors, and community members struggling to make ends meet. "A worker may have a good income but could quickly find such earnings depleted by the responsibility of supporting unemployed relatives and other people around them who are struggling financially," Osifo stated.

The association also stressed the importance of making local governments more responsive to citizens' needs. Osifo described local government as the level of administration closest to the people, yet many have become ineffective. This lack of grassroots accountability hinders citizens from demanding solutions for their communities, exacerbating poverty and contributing to insecurity. PENGASSAN urged a fundamental review of local governance and called for a collective effort from federal, state, and local governments to implement practical measures for poverty reduction.

Osifo made these remarks at a gathering honoring former PENGASSAN leaders, acknowledging their contributions since the association's establishment in 1978. He underscored that while PENGASSAN's primary focus is on its members' jobs, remuneration, and welfare, the association cannot ignore the broader economic challenges facing Nigerians. The event aimed to ensure that the sacrifices of past leaders are not forgotten.

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a worker may have a good income but could quickly find such earnings depleted by the responsibility of supporting unemployed relatives and other people around them who are struggling financially.