Senator Adams Oshiomhole has expressed his support for the Dangote Refinery, urging Nigerians to prioritize local job creation over dependence on foreign fuel imports.
According to Oshiomhole, a monopoly that creates jobs in Nigeria is preferable to an import monopoly. “Would you prefer a monopoly that creates jobs in Nigeria than an import monopoly, which is the PPPRA?” he asked.
The senator believes the refinery needs time to stabilize and mature, having commenced production less than two years ago. He emphasized the importance of local job creation, citing the refinery’s potential to reduce dependency on fuel imports and create sustainable employment. Oshiomhole also faulted the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for escalating the dispute to a nationwide strike, warning that such actions risk harming other workers and the wider economy.
“We are talking about a refinery that has just started production. It’s a very complex issue on a good day,” Oshiomhole said. He criticized PENGASSAN for not considering the impact of their actions on other workers, such as those selling tomatoes who can’t get fuel to buy due to the quarrel between the refinery and the union.
Oshiomhole also criticized pervasive poor labor practices in Nigeria’s private sector, particularly in the banking sector, where contract staffing is rampant. “About 60% of bank employees are contract staff, denying them gratuity and true union representation,” he lamented. He accused banks of setting up secondary employment agencies to enrich their own directors while underpaying contract workers.
The senator emphasized the need for unions to support industrial policies that encourage local investment and allow employers to mature and guarantee good-paying jobs. He also pointed out the importance of government oversight in ensuring that labor laws are observed. “There’s a role for government, the Ministry of Labor, to ensure that the process and procedures are observed before you invoke that weapon,” he said.