The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has declared an indefinite strike following a dispute with the management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, raising concerns of a looming nationwide blackout.
The union announced that its members will suspend the supply of crude oil and gas to the refinery, while also threatening to cut gas supplies to thermal power plants that generate a significant portion of Nigeria’s electricity.
Why the Strike?
PENGASSAN accuses Dangote Refinery of anti-labour practices and the unlawful dismissal of Nigerian workers. The union is demanding their immediate reinstatement, along with a commitment to improved labour relations at the $20 billion facility.
According to PENGASSAN, failure to address these concerns will not only cripple refinery operations but also disrupt Nigeria’s power grid, given the reliance of thermal plants on gas supplies.
House of Reps Steps In
The development has drawn sharp criticism from the House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum Resources, which warned that shutting down gas and crude supply to the refinery could destabilise the energy sector. Lawmakers urged the union to reconsider and return to dialogue.
What’s at Stake
- Fuel Supply: The Dangote Refinery, considered a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy independence, could halt production, worsening already high fuel prices.
- Electricity: Thermal plants, which provide a large chunk of Nigeria’s power, may face shutdowns, resulting in widespread blackouts.
- Economy: Energy disruptions risk aggravating inflation and economic hardship for millions of Nigerians.
Call for Resolution
Industry observers are calling on the Ministry of Labour and Employment, as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), to urgently intervene in order to broker peace between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery management.
With the strike already underway, Nigerians are bracing for the twin impact of fuel scarcity and power outages, unless a resolution is reached soon.
0 Comments