The industrial dispute between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) intensified on Saturday as the union ordered seven of its branches to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the $20 billion facility.
In a letter signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, dated September 26, PENGASSAN accused the refinery of sacking union members in retaliation for exercising their constitutional right to belong to the association. The union described the action as an anti-labour practice and an unlawful dismissal.
As part of its directive, PENGASSAN instructed its branch chairmen in major upstream and midstream companies including TotalEnergies, Chevron, Seplat, Shell Nigeria Gas, Oando, and Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company to cut off supplies immediately.
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Dangote Refinery in a statement on Friday dismissed claims of mass layoffs stating that only a small number of workers were affected by what it described as a reorganisation aimed at preventing acts of sabotage within the facility. It noted more than 3,000 Nigerians remain in employment.
“As you are aware, the Management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members in reaction to the exercise of their constitutional right to being unionized,” PENGASSAN’s directive read.
“They have gone further on a mission of misinformation and propaganda to justify this illegitimacy rather than engaging meaningfully with us to right the wrong.
“Consequent to these, you are hereby directed to cut off gas supply to NGIC effective immediately. All crude oil supply valves to the Refinery should be shut. The loading operation for vessel headed there should be halted immediately,”
“NGIC Chairman, ensure that gas supply to the Refinery is cut off effective immediately. All chairmen on this summons are to report promptly the progress of the directive. Kindly accept the assurances of our highest esteem. Thank you,” the statement read.
PENGASSAN ended the directive with its slogan: “Injury to one! Injury to all!”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
