Oil workers turn to prayer over petrol prices, declining crude production

As Nigeria faces soaring petrol prices and declining crude oil production, oil workers and companies under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources have sought divine intervention through prayer.

Gathering under the banner of the Petroleum Industry Christian Fellowship International (PICFI), oil workers held a National Prayer Conference in Port Harcourt to address the pressing challenges in the oil and gas sector.

The workers, while pledging their best to navigate the difficulties within the industry, called for God’s help in overcoming the nation’s struggles.

During the three-day event, Shola Idowu, National President of PICFI, spoke to reporters, explaining that the group consists of Christians working in both local and international oil and gas industries, as well as corporations under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

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He mentioned that the organization’s members are drawn from major industry players, including Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Oando, Nigeria LNG (NLNG), and the Warri Refinery Petrochemical Company.

“Every year, we hold an annual prayer conference, and this year, we have gathered in Port Harcourt for the 20th annual prayer conference,” Idowu said. “We come together to pray, seek God’s face, and intercede for the industry, the country, and the companies we work for.”

Acknowledging the economic challenges plaguing Nigeria, Idowu stressed that, while politics and bad decisions have played a role in the nation’s difficulties, prayer and righteous action are key to making lasting changes. He added, “With our prayers and the right work, standing with the Lord, we believe we can make a difference.”

Idowu further urged the federal government and leaders in the oil and gas sector to take the necessary actions to save Nigeria from further decline. “We plead, in the name of the Lord, for the government and industry leaders to do what is right to rescue Nigeria from destruction,” he said.

Rev. Collins Edebiri, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PICFI, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of addressing corruption in the oil and gas sector. “The petroleum industry is a dynamic community. Oil is an international commodity, and the politics around it continue to affect us. Leadership and corruption remain our biggest problems, but if we come together in righteousness, Nigeria has a big chance,” Edebiri stated.

He encouraged citizens to remain hopeful and work alongside the government to improve the nation’s future.