By Ayomide Otitoju
The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has condemned the strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), describing it as “bully and guerrilla tactics” designed to hold Nigerians to ransom.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Lawless PENGASSAN: Its Lies and Terror Tactics”, the refinery rejected union claims of mass sackings at its facility, calling them false and unjustifiable. Management warned that the strike, which seeks to cut off crude oil and gas supplies, could disrupt access to kerosene, cooking gas, petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel for millions of Nigerians.
The company urged the Federal Government, security agencies, and the public to resist what it described as PENGASSAN’s “blackmail,” stressing that any aggrieved employees should resolve issues through their employment contracts rather than union agitation.
Dangote Refinery also accused PENGASSAN of spreading misinformation, clarifying that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the plant, with ongoing recruitment and training programs. It admitted a “small-scale reorganization” had taken place but denied replacing Nigerian staff with foreign workers.
The company further alleged that PENGASSAN and its ally, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have a history of obstructing reforms in the oil and gas sector, including the 2007 sale of refineries and recent efforts to amend the Petroleum Industry Act.
Dangote Refinery argued that while it remains one of Nigeria’s largest employers and taxpayers, unions have failed to demonstrate accountability. It therefore challenged PENGASSAN and NUPENG to publish 10 years of audited financial accounts and details of their corporate social responsibility efforts within seven days.
“The threatened action by the Association against Dangote Refinery endangers Nigeria’s energy security and economic recovery. No union is bigger than the country,” the statement declared.
