The Nigerian government has assured citizens that the supply of petroleum products will remain stable despite the ongoing dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, made this assurance after the Steering Committee of the Domestic Crude Oil and Refined Products Sales in Local Currency Initiative met. The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Wale Edun, addressed two key issues: the reported suspension of the Naira‑for‑crude oil arrangement by Dangote Refinery, which has now been resolved, and concerns raised by PENGASSAN regarding the refinery.
The committee reaffirmed that the crude oil for the Naira initiative will continue and that all outstanding matters, including the PENGASSAN‑Dangote dispute, are being handled urgently and in good faith. The federal government reiterated its commitment to energy security, consumer protection, and stability in the domestic petroleum market. Attendees—including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and representatives from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd., the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Afreximbank—emphasized that there will be no disruption in the supply of refined petroleum products across the country.
The assurance comes amid a nationwide strike declared by PENGASSAN against Dangote Refinery over the mass sacking of workers. The union has instructed its members to cut gas and crude supplies to the refinery until it reverses its anti‑labour practices. While the dispute has raised concerns about potential impacts on the country’s petroleum supply, the government’s statement aims to alleviate those worries and maintain market stability. The situation underscores the need for a swift resolution to ensure the continued flow of petroleum products, and the government’s efforts to address the issues will be closely monitored as developments unfold.
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