The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has rejected forced COVID-19 vaccination on Nigerians by the Federal Government.
PENGASSAN President, Mr Festus Osifo, said this in a statement he jointly signed with Mr Lumumba Okugbawa, General Secretary of the association, on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to Osifo, PENGASSAN has observed with dismay the recent directive accompanied with threats by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC).
”That civil servants, specifically Federal Government employees, would from Dec. 1, be required to present proof of vaccination or negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, conducted within 72 hours to gain access to their offices in all locations in Nigeria and the Missions.
”We consider this directive and threats as unbecoming, draconian and against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the government pledged to always uphold,” he said.
Mr. Osifo noted said the association has earlier admonished providers of labour to sensitize and advocate to its employees on the advantages of taking COVID-19 vaccines and not to issue threats to the workforce.
”We wish to sternly request that the undemocratic and anti-masses directives, that infringes on the right of the citizens be stopped and withdrawn with immediate effect.
He noted that there were some issues that are affecting the general populace and require attention of the government to find urgent solutions on the myriad of issues plaguing the nation to reduce the difficulties faced by the citizens.
Mr. Osifo said the association had noted that most of the recent macro-economic policies of government has further exacerbated the economic hardship faced by our members and Nigerians in general.
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