Sopuruchi Onwuka

The lingering confrontation between Dangote Refinery and senior oil industry union, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) may lead to industrial action, even though the company has indicated that it is prepared to run its business without thirds party support.

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Oracle Intelligence reports that Dangote has been consolidating on operational resilience by building vast retail coalition in the domestic market and also creating new distribution logistics system that uses cleaner and cheaper energy options to wheel its products round the country.

The company had last week technically laid off all workers, alleging sabotage and threats to safe operations in the refinery complex. The move is obviously a smooth way to weed out suspects from the company without being perceived as preferential.

Whereas PENGASSAN threatens national strike and seeks industry assistance in bringing Dangote to conform to local labour law requirements, pundits point out that the company and its refining operations are protected from such interventions since they operate in a free zone. Companies in trade free zones are shielded from disruptive local issues.

“We are deeply saddened to report the unjust termination of over 800 Nigerian workers, whose dedication and service have been integral to the operations of this plant. Instead of valuing and retaining this workforce, Management has chosen to replace these qualified Nigerians with over 2,000 Indian workers, many of whom lack valid immigration documentation.

“This move not only undermines the livelihoods of our citizens but also raises serious concerns about the integrity of labour practices and compliance with the Labour Act of Nigeria. Under Section 7 of the Labour Act, which prohibits discrimination and ensures the right to fair treatment in the workplace, the actions of Dangote Refinery are glaringly in violation of our labour laws. The dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without due consultation or any transparent justification contravenes the legal rights granted to all employees in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, we will not tolerate this blatant disregard for the rights of Nigerian workers, particularly in light of the existing provisions under the Trade Union Act, which enshrines the right of workers to organise and join trade unions. The recent organisation of these workers as members of PENGASSAN underscores their collective power and right to protection under the law.

“We emphasise that such actions illustrate a troubling trend towards the marginalisation of Nigerian workers in favour of foreign labour, which we cannot, and will not, tolerate. The sacrifice and talents of our workforce deserve respect, and we demand accountability from employers who possess a social responsibility to the communities they operate in.

“Furthermore, we would be remiss to overlook the broader implications of Dangote Group’s capitalistic pursuits beyond the confines of the refinery sector. Instances of exploitative practices have been reported in various sectors where the company maintains significant business interests. The relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of local talent, ethical employment practices, and community welfare is unacceptable.

“PENGASSAN therefore urge the management of the Dangote Refinery to recall all terminated Nigerian workers. Failure to comply will leave us with no option but to commence exploring all sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the relevant labour laws. We stand resolute in our commitment to uphold the rights of Nigerian workers and will take all necessary legal actions open to us as an Association to ensure that they are afforded the dignity and respect they deserve,” the unions declared in a media release.

The Commission Chief Executive (CCE) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, weekend, called for dialogue between Dangote, PENGASSAN and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), urging all parties to find common ground to resolve their dispute.

The CCE also highlighted the significant reduction in the monetary value of oil losses, attributing the improvement to new strategies implemented by the NUPRC.

Engr. Komolafe who spoke in a television interview on Saturday called for calm and urged the parties to resolve their differences without disrupting energy supply across the country.

“Regardless of the fact that the issues involved are purely mid and downstream affairs, our take is that parties should refrain from what will cause disruption in energy supply in the country. We believe that the issues involved are issues that parties can actually sit down, discuss, and reach an amicable solution for the good of the country,” he stated.

While Engr Komolafe was speaking, Dangote Refinery fired off a media release berating PENGASSAN and accused “the union of decades-long sabotage of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and serving the interests of its leaders rather than ordinary Nigerians.”

Dangote Refinery called on the Federal Government and security agencies to step in immediately to protect the facility and the nation’s energy security, stressing that the union must not be allowed to “bully Nigerians into chaos and economic sabotage.”

The refinery described PENGASSAN’s latest directive to cut crude oil and gas supplies to its facility as another act of economic sabotage designed to inflict untold hardship on Nigerians.

“Indeed, over time, the Association has consistently proved itself as serving interests other than those of Nigerians and Nigerian workers,” the statement declared.

The refinery insisted that PENGASSAN’s recent directive to withdraw services and cut off essential fuel supplies, including but not limited to petrol, diesel, kerosene, cooking gas and aviation fuel was reckless, lawless and dangerous.  It said the order is not about protecting Nigerian workers, but it is about a cabal of oligarchs weaponising hardship against over 230 million Nigerians.