PENGASSAN Orders Shutdown of Gas, Crude Supply to Dangote Refinery Over Mass Sackings

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members nationwide to immediately halt the supply of gas and crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery following the termination of over 800 workers by the refinery’s management.

The directive was contained in a letter signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, and addressed to branch chairmen of the union on Saturday.

According to the union, the mass sack was a retaliatory move against workers who voluntarily joined PENGASSAN. It accused the refinery of “illegitimacy, misinformation and propaganda” instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue.

“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,” the letter stated.

The union also directed the Chairman of the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) to ensure gas supply to the refinery is stopped without delay, while branch leaders were asked to report on compliance with the order.

PENGASSAN emphasized that its action was a direct response to the refinery’s mass dismissal of workers for exercising their constitutional right to unionise.

The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, regarded as Africa’s largest, had earlier confirmed the disengagement of staff, alleging acts of sabotage. On Friday, reports indicated that all Nigerian workers at the facility were laid off after joining PENGASSAN.

PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, has vowed that the refinery must recall all affected workers, warning that the union would not back down until justice is served.

The standoff marks the latest in a growing labour crisis that could disrupt operations at the $20 billion refinery seen as pivotal to Nigeria’s quest for energy independence.