By Abubakar Yunusa
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has asked the government to prioritise the welfare of oil workers, given the hazardous nature of their work.
In a statement on Thursday, Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN’s president, hailed oil and gas workers across the country on Workers’ Day.
According to Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, Gillis-Harry, while addressing journalists in Abuja, appealed to the government and stakeholders in the industry to improve welfare packages and expand health insurance for oil workers.
“Studies have shown that workers in areas where gas flaring is prevalent are at high risk of several health challenges, which can affect them physically, mentally and even increase cancer risks,” Gillis-Harry was quoted as saying.
The association said gas flaring remains a serious problem in Nigeria’s energy industry, exposing workers and nearby communities to harmful health and environmental effects.
The group said the impact of gas flaring highlights the urgent need for better health protection and general welfare for those working in the sector.
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