Samuel Omang
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has declared full solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in their push for the unionisation of tanker drivers and all employees at the Dangote Refinery and its allied companies.
NUPENG had earlier threatened to halt fuel loading operations beginning today over allegations that the refinery planned to bar its 4,000 truck drivers from joining the union.
In a statement released on Monday, PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, said the association would not hesitate to join the industrial action if the issue remains unresolved.
“Should the ongoing situation persist without a resolution, PENGASSAN will be left with no option but to join in shutting down the refinery operations as a last resort to protect our members’ rights and interests,” the union warned.
PENGASSAN accused the refinery’s management of resisting unionisation since its inception, despite several diplomatic interventions.
“All efforts to persuade management have not yielded results. The continued denial of workers’ rights will no longer be tolerated,” the statement read.
The association stressed that it fully supports NUPENG’s demand for total unionisation across the refinery and its affiliates, noting that the right of workers to organise is backed by International Labour Organisation standards and Nigerian labour laws.
PENGASSAN further emphasised that unionisation is essential for ensuring safety, fair labour practices, and dignity in the workplace.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has summoned an urgent stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to avert a possible shutdown of the refinery and wider industry disruption.
The unions have urged dialogue but warned that continued resistance from management could spark consequences that extend beyond the Dangote facility, affecting the entire petroleum industry.