- PENGASSAN Orders Halt of Gas, Crude Supply to Dangote Refinery
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Union move linked to unresolved labor, welfare, and operational concerns.
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Halt raises fears of fuel shortages and refinery disruptions nationwide.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members to suspend the supply of gas and crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery following the dismissal of more than 800 workers who recently joined the union.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a directive dated Saturday and signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN described the move as a response to what it termed the refinery’s “illegitimate and provocative action” against its members.
The letter, circulated to branch chairmen nationwide, ordered decisive action against the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility.
“As you are aware, the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members in reaction to the exercise of their constitutional right to be unionised,” the statement read. “They have gone further on a mission of misinformation and propaganda to justify this illegitimacy rather than engaging meaningfully with us to right the wrong.
“Consequent to these, you are hereby directed to cut off gas supply to NGIC effective immediately. All crude oil supply valves to the refinery should be shut. The loading operation for the vessel headed there should be halted immediately.”
Okugbawa specifically tasked the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) branch to ensure compliance without delay, while all chairmen were instructed to provide immediate feedback on execution.
The directive ended with the union’s rallying phrase: “Injury to one, injury to all.”
The action follows less than 24 hours after Dangote Refinery confirmed the disengagement of some staff over alleged sabotage. The company, however, denied claims that the sackings were linked to unionisation.
PENGASSAN maintains that more than 800 Nigerian workers were unfairly dismissed shortly after registering as members, accusing the refinery of union-busting and unfair labour practices.
