Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the nation’s internal security.
   
The Association said this has become imperative as internal national security is the core responsibility of the state, and the progress and prosperity of any nation rest on peace and tranquillity.
   
The President of PENGASSAN, Ndukaku Ohaeri, who stated this recently, noted that while all efforts have been on terrorism, the incidence of kidnapping, armed robbery, stealing, cattle rustling, ethnic clashes, and cultism have greatly increased.

He said there is a need for the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other internal security agencies to become more visible in maintaining the security of lives and properties in Nigeria.

This, according to him, should start with the reorientation of officers and men, capacity building, remuneration, and strengthening of community-police relations.

Noting that the use of modern facilities and technology should be given priority in enhancing community surveillance, he said efforts should also be made to identify and weed-out officers whose unethical conducts are undeserving of the sanctity of the force.

While acknowledging the efforts of the present administration in nation-building through economic policies that have been implemented, he urged the government to be more responsive to the yearnings of the people for socio-economic and political advancement.

According to him, the government’s responsiveness will surely bring governance closer to the people and support nation-building activities.

He said: “As an association and a critical stakeholder that fought for the enthronement of the democracy we have, and which stands for progress and development of our nation, we make bold to lend our voice to the collective issues that continue to affect our yearning and aspiration as a people.

“We note with concern that in spite of the promises and effort of successive administration, the challenge of quality and responsive governance remains a visible aspect of leadership concern at all levels. This has evolved into worrisome developments in our socio-economic and political circle.”

Additionally, while Nigeria continues to battle with the scourge of chronic underdevelopment, poverty, and unemployment, the oil workers noted that there is the hope that efficient management of resources and implementation of fiscal policies can make a significant difference.

The workers cautioned against the increasing rate of borrowing, as its consequences lead to reduced national savings and income, higher interest payments, large tax hikes, spending cuts, and weakening ability to respond to development challenges.
   
PENGASSAN also urged the enthronement of the principle of efficiency and optimisation through competitive bidding, industry benchmarks, and effective project monitoring and evaluation, to justify every kobo spent using the Lean Production or Six Sigma Methodology.

“We constantly need to juxtapose our rate of borrowing to GDP growth, future potential and opportunities based on infrastructure development.
   
“Therefore, the government needs to be mindful of the alarming debt ratio, which could affect the economic well being of the country in the long term,” oil the workers said.