Dangote Refinery Commends President Tinubu for Averting PENGASSAN Strike
| By Anthony
Lagos, Nigeria – Dangote Petroleum Refinery has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his timely intervention in averting what it described as "the disruptive actions of PENGASSAN" against the company. The refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, is Africa's largest single-train refinery, with a capacity to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict began when Dangote Refinery dismissed over 800 employees, many of whom were union members or had shown interest in joining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The union accused the refinery of targeting workers for unionizing and initiated a nationwide strike in response. The strike led to significant disruptions in Nigeria's oil production and refining activities, including a 16% drop in daily oil output, amounting to a loss of approximately 283,000 barrels per day and 1.7 billion standard cubic feet of gas.
Government's Role in Resolving the Conflict
In a statement, Dangote Refinery credited President Tinubu's leadership for restoring order and stability to the energy sector. The company highlighted the efforts of key government officials who worked tirelessly to mediate the dispute and ensure the resumption of normal operations. Among those recognized were:
- National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu
- Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Toyin Ajayi
- Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Mohammed Mohammed
- Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Dingyadi
- Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun
- Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu
- Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
The refinery expressed gratitude to these officials for their patriotism and national service in averting a potential crisis in Nigeria's energy sector.
Impact of the Strike on Nigeria's Energy Sector
The strike had far-reaching consequences on Nigeria's energy infrastructure. Key facilities, including the Shell-operated Bonga unit, the Oben gas plant, and Nigeria LNG's Train 5 and 6, experienced shutdowns or delays. Power generation fell by over 1,200 megawatts, and cargo loadings at Dangote and export terminals like Akpo, Brass, and Egina were postponed. These disruptions highlighted the vulnerabilities in the country's energy sector and underscored the importance of effective dispute resolution mechanisms.
Dangote Refinery's Commitment to Workers' Welfare
Despite the challenges posed by the dispute, Dangote Refinery reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of its employees. The company emphasized that the dismissals were part of a staff reorganization aimed at improving efficiency and addressing internal sabotage and safety lapses. PENGASSAN had rejected this explanation and responded with a nationwide strike action. The resolution of the dispute has been seen as a significant step in stabilizing the country's energy sector and ensuring the protection of workers' rights.