PENGASSAN women laud Dame Amaechi

PORT HARCOURT— FEMALE unionists in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, have commended the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Judith Amaechi, for her women empowerment programmes in the state.
Under the umbrella of Women in PENGASSAN, WIP, the women described Mrs Amaechi as a woman with great vision, who had empowered women through commercial transportation to enable them support their families.

Chairperson of WIP, Mrs Rose  Orji-Kalu, who spoke during their familiarisation and sensitisation visit to Port Harcourt, said, “We are in Port Harcourt to create awareness in our members.

“This awareness drive will be extended to all the four zones, where PENGASSAN operate in the country in order to ensure that union activities are not left in the hands of the men alone,” she added.

Our women in the oil and gas sector should be aware that WIP existence in the main body of PENGASSAN does not mean they are running a paralled organization with the national, they are still part of the body which needs the full participation of all women.”
Comrade Orji-Kalu called for more women participation in unionism, especially in PENGASSAN, to achieve equal and adequate representation in the central working committee where decisions are made and be relevant when issues affecting gender are taken.

Also speaking, Comrade Adelsrael Oreitsema S. Treasurer of the association said the purpose of the visit was not only for sensitization of members, but also to enlighten members on the plight of the less privilege in the society.

“We have come together in order to find ways on how to help and support them”, adding that the women will visit the orphanage, handicap, old people home and award scholarship to deserving students, she said.

The Port Harcourt Zonal Chairperson of WIP, Comrade Ijeom Dom-Nwachukwu in her address, thanked the participants for the honour done to WIP despite the short notice.

She disclose that WIP would also be involved in training women by organizing  workshops and seminars for leadership positions at local and international levels.

Comrade Ijeom said the paramount issue on the agenda is to ensure that women are developed and empowered to participate actively in unionism.