Dangote Refinery has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and other top officials for their roles in ending the recent dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The refinery described PENGASSAN’s actions as disruptive, accusing the union of ignoring court orders and acting unlawfully.
The conflict began after PENGASSAN accused Dangote of unfairly dismissing about 800 workers, many affiliated with the union. Dangote Industries denied the claim, stating the layoffs were part of efficiency improvements and necessary for addressing internal challenges. PENGASSAN responded with a nationwide strike.
The refinery credited several government ministers and security chiefs with helping restore calm to the energy sector. It also thanked Nigerians for their broad support and praised its employees for maintaining operations during the crisis.
Dangote emphasized its status as one of Nigeria’s top employers, highlighting its commitment to international labor standards and employee welfare.
The refinery also commended the Nigerian judiciary for upholding the law throughout the dispute, despite PENGASSAN’s alleged refusal to accept court orders.
Meanwhile, internal disagreements have emerged within PENGASSAN. Members from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) branch accused union leaders of undemocratic behavior and urged the federal government to investigate. They cited issues with leadership decisions and the formation of a caretaker committee, which they say has caused division within the branch.
