The Federal Government has been urged to intervene in the ongoing strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over a dispute with Dangote Refinery.
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, expressed concern over the government’s silence in the face of the strike, which has already begun to disrupt economic activities.
Obi warned that the strike poses a serious threat to the welfare of Nigerians and the national economy. “The Federal Government must learn to nip in the bud labour crises that have the potential of creating further suffering for our already struggling citizens,” he said. The PENGASSAN strike is in protest against the alleged sack of over 800 of its members by Dangote Refinery, with the union insisting that only the unconditional recall of all members would end the strike.
The Federal Government has intervened, with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, appealing to PENGASSAN to halt the strike. Dingyadi warned that any strike action in the petroleum sector could worsen the hardship already being experienced by Nigerians and have far-reaching consequences on revenue, economic stability, and national security.
A conciliation meeting has been scheduled for Monday to resolve the dispute. PENGASSAN has confirmed its attendance at the meeting but maintains that its position remains the total recall of workers sacked by the Dangote Refinery. The union has assured Nigerians that the strike will not lead to petrol scarcity, but has shut down gas supply to refineries.
Dangote Refinery has denied PENGASSAN’s accusations, stating that the restructuring was necessary to address safety concerns, operational inefficiencies, and repeated acts of sabotage in some units of the refinery. The company emphasized its commitment to upholding internationally accepted labour principles, including the right of every worker to freely decide whether or not to join a union.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has declared full support for PENGASSAN and put all its affiliates on red alert in anticipation of a protracted showdown. TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, accused Dangote Refinery of victimizing Nigerian workers and treating them as expendable.
The dispute between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery has sparked concerns about the potential impact on the nation’s economy and the welfare of Nigerians. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are urging both parties to exercise caution and work towards a resolution that protects the interests of all parties involved.
