The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has launched a nationwide strike that has effectively halted operations at major oil and gas institutions across the country. The strike began on Monday, leading members to withdraw their services completely and forcing critical regulatory agencies to shut down. Among the affected bodies are the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was locked and staff could not gain entry; security personnel confirmed that the facility had been sealed in compliance with the strike order. Similarly, the NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja’s Central Business District experienced a total shutdown, with staff strictly adhering to the directive. PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, reported “100 per cent compliance,” noting that both staff and visitors were denied entry. The same level of compliance was achieved at NNPCL and other agencies.
The strike was triggered by the alleged unlawful termination of about 800 employees at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The union accuses the refinery of violating Nigerian labor laws and International Labour Organisation standards by dismissing workers for union membership and replacing them with expatriates. In response, PENGASSAN has ordered its members to halt the supply of crude oil and natural gas to the refinery, a move that has sent jitters through the energy sector. Marketers warn that potential disruptions in product distribution could lead to higher fuel prices and increased scarcity.
The union’s resolution, signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, calls for an immediate stop to all processes involving gas and crude supply to the Dangote Refinery. It also instructs all International Oil Companies’ branches to ramp down gas production and supply to the refinery and petrochemicals. This strike represents a significant development in Nigeria’s energy sector, with possible repercussions for the national economy. As disruptions continue, stakeholders are eagerly awaiting a resolution to the crisis and its impact on the country’s oil and gas industry.
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