The Federal Government has intervened in the ongoing dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
A meeting was held between Dangote Refinery representatives, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and other key stakeholders to review developments in the downstream oil sector.
According to a statement on Sunday by Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, the committee “reassured that the crude oil for the Naira initiative will continue.”
Persecondnews reports that the meeting also acknowledged the recent issues surrounding the purported suspension of the naira-for-crude oil arrangement by Dangote Refinery, which has since been resolved amicably.
Manga assured that “all outstanding issues, particularly the dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery, are being addressed with urgency and in good faith.”
The Federal Government noted that there will be no disruption in the supply of refined petroleum products across the country.
This assurance comes after PENGASSAN instructed its members to embark on a nationwide strike over Dangote Refinery’s dismissal of workers.
The refinery had confirmed sacking some workers, citing a reorganisation exercise aimed at curbing sabotage and ensuring operational efficiency.
The dispute between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN stems from the refinery’s decision to terminate the employment of some workers, which PENGASSAN claims was unjustified.
The union had raised concerns about the refinery’s labour practices, and the Federal Government’s intervention aims to resolve the issue.
Dangote Refinery maintained that the reorganisation exercise was necessary to safeguard the facility and ensure operational efficiency.
Leave a comment