By Ayomide Otitoju
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has accused the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of pursuing personal and financial interests at the expense of workers’ welfare, following renewed threats of industrial action.
In a statement issued on Monday, the refinery criticised the TUC for declaring “full solidarity” with PENGASSAN without verifying claims against its management, describing the union’s stance as “zombie-like.”
“We are told that he who hears only from one side and passes judgment without hearing the other side is a fool. Unfortunately, the Trade Union Congress has placed itself in that position,” the statement read. “Without hearing from Dangote Refinery, the Congress has passed a guilty verdict and now parrots the PENGASSAN line, calling for national industrial action if Dangote management fails to comply with its demands.”
The company alleged that the unions’ real motive is the collection of check-off dues, citing PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo’s recent interview where he admitted that a request for dues was sent to the refinery a day after workers allegedly unionised.
“PENGASSAN and TUC are twins from the same womb,” the statement continued. “Their interests do not extend beyond themselves and the oligarchs that run their affairs. The monthly check-off dues and other subscriptions that fund their lifestyles are their primary concern.”
Dangote Refinery further accused PENGASSAN, TUC, and allied unions such as NUPENG of failing to account for workers’ contributions, instead using the funds to maintain “lavish and opulent lifestyles.”
The company called on the Federal Government to resist what it described as attempts to drag Nigeria back into “the dark ages” of energy insecurity and industrial sabotage, stressing that the refinery remains a national asset requiring protection.
It also challenged the unions to publish their financial records. “We demand that TUC, PENGASSAN, and NUPENG release their 10-year audited accounts. The workers, in whose name they claim to act, deserve to know what has been done with their monthly check-off dues,” the statement concluded.
