Oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria have warned against the disruption of oil and gas production in the country.

PENGASSAN, in a statement on Wednesday, said, “The attention of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has been drawn to the alarms raised by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force over plots to attack and destroy oil facilities, especially in the Niger Delta Region and sabotage the country’s democracy.”

It said there had also been an accusation, counter-accusation and denials between the government and the opposition parties “over the alleged plot to overthrow the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The union said, “We, however, view these outcries as serious and treasonable acts punishable on conviction, with the maximum penalty as prescribed by the nation’s laws and other internationally recognised conventions,” the union added.

“As workers who strive daily to meet up with production quota and target in the oil and gas sector, we would appreciate if our members are not drawn into unconfirmed and politically motivated alarms.

“PENGASSAN, therefore, warns all aggrieved groups and politicians to stay away from the oil and gas facilities, which are the engine that drives the country’s economic and social development.

According to the union, with a current population of about 200 million citizens, Nigeria cannot survive another internally instigated war.

It said, “We counsel all aggrieved politicians to be patient and await the outcome of the various litigations pending at the electoral tribunals or wait till 2023 when another window of political activity will be lifted.

“We use this medium to reassure all citizens of this great nation that PENGASSAN, as a responsible and patriotic association, will never engage in or support any act capable of plunging the country into an abyss of pain and destructions.”