The Delta State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has expressed worry over the job insecurity surrounding the sector.

The group said that the menace had also trickled down to other sectors of the economy.

The State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Igwe Achese, who led other members to the State House noted that the oil and gas sector was being affected by the nosedive in the price of oil consequently taking its toll on oil workers.

He disclosed that 900 persons had been laid off in Chevron’s operations in Delta State and same applicable in other multi-national oil companies.

Mr Achese advised that urgent steps must be taken to address the situation of job insecurity in the industry and its associated effects.

He also requested for additional landed property for tank farms in the state to solve the problem of trucks and tankers parking along the roads thereby, creating undue pressure on the roads.

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, said that the dwindling revenue from oil had become a major challenge that must be tackled through the State and Federal government to diversify the economy.

While calling for patience and understanding from Nigerians and urging them to be positively engaged, Governor Okowa emphasised that the economy could be diversified with Nigerians going back to agriculture, agro-based business as well as small and medium scale enterprise.

The Governor also assured the state residents of his administration’s commitment to remove tankers from the road, noting that he was ready to partner with the private sector in the development of tanker parks in the state, especially in the Warri/Effurun axis.

Delta State in south-south Nigeria is known to be one of the major oil producing states in the country which also hosts indigenous and multinationals in the oil and gas sector. (Channels TV) •Photo shows oil and gas facility.

Update news