Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN Engage in Heated Dispute Over Workers Sack Allegations

A standoff between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has taken a dramatic turn.

The union has ordered seven branches to cut off crude oil and gas supplies to the $20 billion facility, citing the refinery’s alleged anti-labour practices and unlawful sacking of union members.

PENGASSAN claims that the refinery’s management sacked Nigerian workers after they joined the union, withdrew staff buses, and denied locals access to the facility while allowing expatriates entry.

The union has threatened to picket the refinery if the situation isn’t addressed.

In response, the refinery’s management asserts that only a small number of workers were affected by a reorganization aimed at preventing sabotage within the facility. Over 3,000 Nigerians remain employed, contradicting claims of mass layoffs.

The refinery attributes the restructuring to recurring sabotage incidents posing serious risks to human lives and operations.

The dispute escalated as PENGASSAN instructed its branches in major oil companies to halt gas supply to the refinery immediately.

The union described the refinery’s actions as “illegitimate” and accused management of spreading misinformation instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue.

In a recent development, the company announced it would suspend petrol sales in naira from September 28 due to exhausted crude-for-naira allocations.

The situation remains tense, with PENGASSAN reaffirming its solidarity with the slogan “Injury to one! Injury to all!”