The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has directed its members to halt gas and crude oil supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
This decision follows the refinery’s recent dismissal of over 800 workers, which PENGASSAN claims is a violation of workers’ rights and an anti-labor practice.
PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, stated that the union’s action is in response to the refinery’s alleged victimization of workers who exercised their constitutional right to unionize. “The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members in reaction to the exercise of their constitutional right to being unionized,” Okugbawa said.
The union has ordered its members across key oil and gas companies, including TotalEnergies, Chevron, Shell Nigeria Gas, Oando, and Seplat Producing Nigeria Unlimited, to stop supplying crude oil and gas to the refinery. “INGC chairman, ensure that gas supply to the refinery is cut off effective immediately,” the directive reads.
The dispute between PENGASSAN and the Dangote Refinery escalated after the refinery dismissed over 800 workers, citing repeated acts of sabotage. However, PENGASSAN claims the dismissals are unjust and targeted workers who exercised their right to unionize. “This illegitimacy cannot stand,” the union stated.
The supply cutoff could lead to broader disruptions in diesel, aviation fuel, and petrol production, affecting Nigeria’s energy security. PENGASSAN has vowed to sustain its action until the workers are reinstated and meaningful negotiations begin.
Dangote Refinery has denied allegations of mass layoffs, stating that only a small number of employees were affected by a necessary reorganization aimed at addressing recurring acts of sabotage. However, PENGASSAN maintains that the issues raised must be addressed urgently.