The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has received strong backing from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in its clash with the Dangote Refinery. PENGASSAN warned that it may shut down refinery operations if management refuses to allow unionization.
In a statement on Monday, PENGASSAN General Secretary Lumumba Okugbowa condemned the refinery’s denial of workers’ rights to unionize. He described it as a clear violation of both Nigerian and international labor laws.
The statement read, “On behalf of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, we are writing to express our unwavering solidarity with our ally and sister union, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), in their ongoing efforts to secure the rights of tanker drivers who are currently being hired at the Dangote Refinery.
“We wish to put on record that Dangote Refinery management has been resisting potential members of both PENGASSAN and NUPENG from joining the Association since its inception. All diplomatic efforts to persuade the company’s management have so far not yielded the desired result.
PENGASSAN also expressed concern over what it called persistent resistance to unionization at the refinery. The group warned that continued denial of workers’ rights would no longer be tolerated.
The association stated that unless the refinery management reverses its stance, it will join NUPENG in direct action. This move, it warned, could severely disrupt refinery operations.
