Recall that NUPENG had announced plans to halt fuel loading operations, alleging that the refinery intends to bar drivers of its 4,000 newly recruited trucks from joining the union.
In a statement on Monday, PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, reaffirmed solidarity with NUPENG’s demand for full unionisation across the refinery and its affiliates.
“On behalf of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, we express our unwavering solidarity with our ally and sister union, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, in their ongoing efforts to secure the rights of tanker drivers at Dangote Refinery,” the statement read.
Threat of Shutdown
PENGASSAN warned that unless the matter is resolved swiftly, it may be forced to join NUPENG in shutting down operations at the multibillion-dollar facility.
“Should the situation persist without resolution, PENGASSAN will be left with no option but to participate in shutting down refinery operations as a last resort to protect our members’ rights and interests,” Okugbawa stated.
Alleged Anti-Union Practices
The union accused the refinery’s management of systematically resisting unionisation since inception, despite several rounds of dialogue.
“It is with deep concern that PENGASSAN observes the increasing resistance to unionisation at the Dangote Refinery. Continued denial of workers’ rights will no longer be tolerated going forward,” the statement noted.
PENGASSAN further argued that its position aligns with international labour standards and Nigerian laws which guarantee workers’ rights to organise and bargain collectively.
Call for Urgent Dialogue
The association appealed to stakeholders, including the Federal Government, to urgently intervene to prevent disruptions in the oil and gas sector.
“Failure to recognise and respect workers’ rights will have consequences that extend beyond Dangote’s refinery, impacting the entire industry. In unity, we stand with NUPENG to create a just and equitable labour environment,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has summoned an emergency meeting of stakeholders in Abuja to resolve the impasse.
