The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has voiced strong support for the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in its ongoing dispute with the Dangote Refinery. PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, said the association stands in solidarity with NUPENG, condemning the refinery’s resistance to unionisation as a violation of Nigerian labour laws and international conventions.
The dispute centres on the refinery’s refusal to recognise workers’ right to join a union, particularly among tanker drivers. Despite diplomatic efforts, management has denied workers the ability to join either PENGASSAN or NUPENG. In response, PENGASSAN has threatened to strike, warning that such action could cripple the refinery’s operations if the management does not change its stance.
In its statement, PENGASSAN stressed the importance of upholding workers’ rights and described the refinery’s actions as unacceptable and directly contravening labour law. The association warned that it would be forced to join NUPENG in a showdown if the refinery continues to resist unionisation. This marks a significant escalation, with potential consequences for the refinery’s operations and the broader oil‑and‑gas industry.
The Dangote Refinery, one of Nigeria’s major petroleum facilities, has maintained its position against unionisation despite negotiations by NUPENG and PENGASSAN. As the situation unfolds, the prospect of a strike and resulting disruptions to the refinery’s output remains a pressing concern.
In the wider context of Nigeria’s labour landscape, the dispute highlights the ongoing challenges faced by oil‑and‑gas workers. While the country’s labour laws and international conventions guarantee the right to unionise and engage in collective bargaining, companies often resist these efforts, making it difficult for workers to exercise their rights. The outcome of PENGASSAN’s ultimatum will have significant implications for the refinery’s operations and the broader industry, with potential disruptions to oil and gas production drawing close attention from stakeholders and observers.
Comments are closed for this story.