PENGASSAN Joins NUPENG in Clash With Dangote Refinery, Strike Threat Looms
By DAYO ADESULU
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has declared full support for the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in its ongoing dispute with the Dangote Refinery over workers’ rights to unionise.
NUPENG had earlier announced plans to halt fuel loading nationwide after accusing the refinery of preventing newly recruited drivers for its 4,000 trucks from joining the union.
In a statement released on Monday, PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, said the refinery had resisted unionisation since inception despite several diplomatic interventions.
“We stand firmly with NUPENG in the fight for workers’ rights at Dangote Refinery. If this situation persists, PENGASSAN may be left with no option but to join in shutting down refinery operations,” Okugbawa said.
The union warned that continued denial of workers’ rights would have ripple effects across Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, potentially leading to fuel scarcity.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has summoned all stakeholders to an urgent meeting in Abuja to resolve the crisis.
Labour analysts say the refinery’s dispute with unions could trigger another round of economic hardship if not quickly resolved.
PENGASSAN backs NUPENG, Dangote Refinery strike, fuel scarcity Nigeria, union rights, tanker drivers.
