Nigerian economist Ken Ife has warned the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against entering an industrial dispute with the Dangote Group that it cannot win. He made these remarks on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief” on Monday while discussing the ongoing conflict between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and PENGASSAN over unionisation and the recent dismissal of several Nigerian workers by the refinery.
The dispute has escalated sharply. PENGASSAN instructed its members to halt gas supplies to the refinery and later called for a nationwide strike. In response, the refinery condemned the union’s actions as “lawlessness and criminality.” The federal government has urged PENGASSAN to reconsider the strike, warning of potential damage to the economy.
Ife argued that employers have the right to hire and fire and that unions should not be allowed to dictate such decisions. He said the timing of the workers’ sackings was not unjustifiable and that the union should bring its grievances before the industrial court rather than taking the law into its own hands. The economist also highlighted the importance of foreign direct investment for Nigeria, noting that the country’s refineries have remained non‑functional despite substantial investment. He cautioned that the PENGASSAN‑Dangote dispute could have far‑reaching economic consequences and advised the union to rethink its approach.
The federal government has taken steps to bring both parties back to the negotiating table. Labour and Employment Minister Muhammad Dingyadi has specifically urged PENGASSAN to reconsider its strike. The outcome of this dispute carries significant implications for the Nigerian economy, and stakeholders are closely monitoring the negotiations. As events unfold, the resolution of the conflict and its impact on the nation’s economic landscape remain uncertain.
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