* Ngige 
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, is to meet with representatives of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Thursday, a statement issued  Wednesday in Abuja said.

 The statement, signed by Mr Samuel Olowookere, the Deputy Director (Press) in the ministry, said that the ``crucial meeting’’ was being convened to find a lasting solution to the lingering problems in the oil and gas sector.

 It said that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, would also participate in in the dialogue scheduled for 10 a.m. in Abuja.

 It will be recalled that  PENGASSAN has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike beginning from Thursday over some issues, including the alleged mass sack of its members by various oil and gas companies.