Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has warned that disputes at the Dangote refinery could embarrass Nigeria globally if not resolved.
Sule described the refinery as a “national asset” during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday. He urged the federal government, unions, and refinery management to open dialogue.
He said: “What has happened is that there is a gap in communication; PENGASSAN, as of today, needs to sit down with Dangote clearly.
“We can’t allow this institution to run down; if it does, the world will laugh at us.
“The Dangote refinery in Nigeria is not for Dangote alone. It is for Nigeria. It has spared Nigeria many issues and problems. Nigeria may no longer worry about fertiliser and petrochemicals.
“I will actually appeal to PENGASSAN, the Dangote management and the federal government to ensure this is resolved. Dangote refinery is here to stay and is already exporting petroleum products abroad; we can’t afford challenges with that institution.”
The governor backed Dangote management over claims of mass dismissals, stressing that refinery operations rely heavily on steady gas supply.
Sule said: “Dangote did not just wake up to sack all alleged workers; he needs people to run his refinery. He has thousands of workers.
“Terrible. We experienced that before at the sugar refinery we run; if the liquor does not move, pipes rust and get stuck, and sometimes you have to cut pipes down. It is not in Dangote’s interest to cause any commotion.”
