By Peace Udugba
The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, has explained why the union suspended its nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Osifo said the industrial action was discontinued out of respect for the Nigerian government and its citizens.
“We are not satisfied with the terms of the agreement, as it did not address our core demand—the recall of the 800 sacked Nigerian workers. However, out of respect for government institutions, the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Chief Reconciliator of the Federation, and ministers who mediated tirelessly into the early hours of the morning, we have decided to suspend the action,” he said.
Osifo warned that the union would resume the strike without notice if Dangote Refinery fails to honour the terms of the agreement.
The two-day strike was suspended following Federal Government intervention through the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The dispute arose after over 800 workers were reportedly dismissed by Dangote Refinery for joining PENGASSAN. The strike disrupted gas and crude supply to the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, impacting Nigeria’s oil downstream sector.
One key outcome of the agreement is a commitment that the refinery will reabsorb the affected workers.
