The face-off between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and General Electric (GE) has gotten the attention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

NUPENG members on Tuesday suspended the one-day picketing of the company’s headquarters following the minister’s intervention.

The union joined by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) had on Monday in Lagos protested against the company.

The protesters blocked the entrance into the company and did not allow other employees and management of the company into the premises.

They were dressed in red, chanting songs, and carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “GE must pay ARCO to pay our members”.

The Administration Head, Lagos Zonal Council, NUPENG, Badmus Aiyedun, told NAN on Tuesday that the union suspended the strike due to Ngige’s intervention.

Aiyedun hinted that the leadership of NUPENG, GE management and officials of the labour ministry would be meeting next Monday to resolve the lingering issues.

He, however, added that if after the meeting the matter was not resolved, the union might resume its action.

“But from today, no union member will be coming to picket the company again,” he said.