A recent threat by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, to shut down the Dangote Refinery has prompted the Concerned Nigerian Consumers Forum to call for a federal investigation. The Forum alleges that PENGASSAN’s actions are a plot to sabotage Nigeria’s energy independence, which the Dangote Refinery is designed to achieve.
The $20 billion refinery, a critical national asset, aims to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel, stabilize prices, and create jobs. With over 3,000 Nigerians employed and ongoing recruitment, the refinery prioritizes operational efficiency and safety. However, PENGASSAN’s threat to picket the refinery follows a recent mass sacking of workers, sparking concerns about the union’s motives.
The Concerned Nigerian Consumers Forum accuses PENGASSAN of having a history of resisting reforms and blocking privatization, which contributed to the collapse of Nigeria’s public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. The Forum notes that PENGASSAN’s actions, alongside the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, led to fuel scarcity, economic instability, and national embarrassment.
Despite a court order restraining industrial action, PENGASSAN’s threat to picket the refinery has been criticized as “union overreach” and a violation of the rule of law. The Forum questions who benefits from the refinery’s failure, suggesting that fuel importers and rent seekers profit from chaos, rather than the Nigerian people.
The Concerned Nigerian Consumers Forum has urged PENGASSAN to engage in dialogue, respect the courts, and prioritize national interest. The Forum has also called on the ministries of Labour, Petroleum Resources, and Justice to intervene and stop the threat to shut down the refinery. The government is expected to send a clear message that industrial blackmail will not be tolerated, as Nigerians have suffered enough from fuel queues and economic hardship. The Dangote Refinery is seen as a crucial step towards energy independence, and its success is deemed essential for the country’s economic stability.
