PENGASSAN, Dangote refinery meet FG over labour dispute

A delegation of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Monday met with the Federal Government to resolve a dispute over labour issues.

The meeting took place at the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja. In attendance were the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi, and the Minister of State, Nkiruka Onyejeocha.

PENGASSAN was represented by its President, Festus Osifo, alongside other executives, while members of the refinery’s management were also present.

The talks followed last week’s protests by PENGASSAN members, who barricaded the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The union accused Dangote Refinery of illegally sacking over 800 Nigerian workers for joining the association.

In a circular signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, after an emergency National Executive Council meeting, the union said the refinery violated Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and International Labour Organisation conventions.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery rejected the allegations, stating that the staff dismissals were part of a reorganisation exercise aimed at addressing safety concerns, improving operational efficiency, and preventing sabotage. The company denied that the move was arbitrary.

The dispute escalated into a nationwide industrial action by PENGASSAN, which paralysed some operations across the oil and gas sector.

The ongoing talks with the Federal Government are expected to seek a compromise and prevent further disruptions.