The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members nationwide to withdraw their services from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29.
In a communique issued after an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) over the weekend, and signed by its general secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating labour laws and international conventions by terminating the employment of over 800 workers for joining PENGASSAN.
The Union alleged that the company had replaced the affected Nigerian staff with more than 2,000 foreign workers, describing the action as a show of disloyalty to a country that has given it the most incentives any company has ever enjoyed at taxpayers’ expense.
As part of its resolutions, PENGASSAN directed all members in field locations to down tools from 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 28, while those in offices, institutions, companies, and agencies were asked to commence a full withdrawal of services from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29.
The union also instructed that gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery be halted, and ordered International Oil Companies (IOCs) to ramp down production linked to the facility.
“No intervention whatsoever will be entertained across field locations except where the safety of personnel and assets is at risk; such clearance must be obtained from the National Secretariat.
“The prayer point should include a call to God Almighty to give courage to those in authority to rein in Dangote and his co-travellers on the need to obey the laws of our country.
“No man is bigger than our country!! An injury to one is an injury to all,” the Union stated.
In an earlier response, however, the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals dismissed the union’s claims, describing them as unfounded and misleading.
The company explained that the development was not a mass sack but part of a re-organisation exercise aimed at strengthening operations and addressing what it called repeated acts of sabotage within the facility.
It disclosed that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain in active employment at the refinery despite the shake-up, stressing that only a minimal number of staff were affected.
“Over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively in our petroleum refinery at present. Only a minimal number of staff were affected, as we continue to recruit Nigerian talent through our graduate trainee programmes and experienced hire recruitment process,” the management said.
Dangote Refinery noted that the reorganisation was necessary to forestall safety risks and operational disruptions, insisting that the move was in the best interest of the refinery and the country.
The statement added that the company remains committed to internationally accepted labour principles, including the right of workers to decide on union membership without interference.
