The meeting between the Ministers of Labour and Petroleum with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on how to stave the association’s planned strike would hold on Friday, July 8, 2016.

The meeting had earlier on been scheduled for Thursday July 7, 2016.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Samuel Olowookere, the Deputy Director (Press) in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

It stated that the shift in date was in consideration for the season and the national holidays.

NAN reports that the Federal Government had during the week also declared today, Thursday, as a public holiday for the Eid-El-Fitri.

“The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, will now hold the crucial meeting with PENGASSAN leadership on Friday put a lasting solution to the lingering problems affecting the oil and gas sector.

“The meeting will hold at the Minister’s Board Room, 11th floor, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNPC Towers, Abuja starting at 10 a.m.”

The statement said the ministers appealed to the entire leadership of PENGASSAN to stay action on its proposed strike in view of the ongoing negotiations and in the spirit of social dialogue. (NAN)

•Photo shows Sen. Ngige.