Oil and gas workers, represented by the Petroleum Industry Christian Fellowship International (PICFI), have expressed deep concerns about the rising cost of living in Nigeria, highlighting its impact on both their professional and personal lives.
During the group’s three-day 20th annual prayer conference in Port Harcourt, Sola Idowu, President of PICFI, shared insights into how the skyrocketing prices of staple foods and essential items have made life increasingly challenging for the average Nigerian, particularly affecting poorer segments of the population. He emphasized that the assumption that oil and gas workers are immune to these economic hardships due to their salaries is misguided.
Idowu stated, “The economic challenges are affecting everyone, including those working in the oil and gas industry. More people now rely on us (oil and gas workers) to survive the hardship, meaning that our monthly salary is no longer sufficient to manage our households.”
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Idowu noted that PICFI, an interdenominational Christian organization comprising Christians from both international and local oil and gas sectors, has organized prayer sessions to seek divine intervention for the industry and the country as a whole.
“We are gathered here to seek God’s help for the oil and gas industry, the companies we work for, and for the overall good of the country,” he explained. “The current situation in Nigeria is a serious concern, and as stakeholders, we have come together to pray, recognizing that the challenges facing our country are not ordinary.”
Idowu called on the Federal Government and industry leaders to take decisive actions to prevent further decline in the nation’s economy.
Collins Edebiri, Chairman of PICFI’s Board of Trustees, acknowledged the growing skepticism among Nigerians regarding the efficacy of prayer in solving the country’s issues. However, he maintained that seeking God’s guidance remains crucial for raising leaders capable of transforming Nigeria’s fortunes. He concluded, “If prayer didn’t work, Nigeria would have collapsed by now.”