The Federal Government has stepped in to resolve the dispute between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over allegations of mass sack of union members and their replacement with foreign workers.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, on Monday appealed to PENGASSAN to suspend its strike, which commenced yesterday, in the interest of stability in the oil and gas sector.
The strike has already disrupted operations, with members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) unable to effectively lift petroleum products or carry out other services. According to industry sources, NUPENG members have been rendered idle as critical files, documents, and approvals required for their work remain locked due to the ongoing dispute.
In its reaction, Dangote Refinery condemned PENGASSAN’s action, accusing the union of decades-long sabotage of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The company alleged that the union was serving the narrow interests of its leaders rather than ordinary Nigerians.
Talks between the government, union leaders, and refinery management are expected to continue in the coming days to avert a prolonged disruption in the sector.
