The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members to halt the supply of gas and crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, escalating tensions after the sack of over 800 workers who joined the union.
The directive, dated Saturday and signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, described the refinery’s move as a violation of workers’ constitutional right to freedom of association.
“As you are aware, the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members in reaction to the exercise of their constitutional right to be unionised,” the statement read.
Okugbawa instructed the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) branch to immediately cut gas supply to the refinery and ordered that all crude oil valves to the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility be shut. He also mandated that loading operations for vessels heading to the plant be halted.
Union branches were further directed to provide regular updates on compliance with the order.
PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo, who also leads the Trade Union Congress (TUC), confirmed on Friday that the mass termination followed the workers’ decision to unionise. He assured that efforts are underway to secure their reinstatement.
The latest escalation comes after a sack letter signed by the refinery’s Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, cited sabotage and safety concerns as reasons for the dismissals. Labour leaders have rejected the explanation, branding it as an act of unfair labour practice.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which began operations in 2024, has faced repeated clashes with labour unions over the right of workers to unionise.
