Normal activities have resumed at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) following the suspension of an industrial action by workers who had shut down administrative operations across the commission's offices nationwide.
The regulator announced on Tuesday that the dispute was resolved after discussions between management and labour representatives, paving the way for employees to return to work.
Workers under the umbrella of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had embarked on a warning strike on Monday over concerns relating to staff welfare, governance issues, career development and operational matters within the commission.
The workers had raised objections to aspects of the commission's administrative structure, including concerns about funding arrangements within the petroleum regulatory framework. They also called for improvements in remuneration, training opportunities, staff development programmes and career progression.
The action resulted in the temporary closure of NUPRC offices across the country. However, the commission maintained throughout the dispute that critical regulatory and field operations in the oil and gas sector remained unaffected.
In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the commission confirmed that the strike was suspended on the night of June 1 following successful engagements between management and the in-house unions.
According to the statement, the industrial action lasted approximately 12 hours and was limited to administrative functions.
"Work has fully resumed at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission following the suspension of the one-day strike called by workers' unions," the commission stated.
It added that operational oversight of oil and gas facilities continued uninterrupted during the period of the strike.
"The strike, which lasted for 12 hours, affected only administrative work while regulatory activities in oil and gas facilities remained unaffected," the statement said.
The commission also rejected reports suggesting that crude oil production was disrupted by the industrial action.
It further clarified that media reports portraying the dispute as being primarily linked to overseas training opportunities did not accurately reflect the issues raised by workers.
"The commission, therefore, calls on members of the public to disregard false reports on crude oil production disruptions as well as misleading publications stating that the disagreement centred on foreign training," Akinkuotu said.
The NUPRC said management has committed to addressing concerns raised by employees and improving workplace conditions in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
According to the regulator, staff welfare, professional development and capacity-building initiatives will remain priorities as efforts continue to strengthen the institution's operational effectiveness.