The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has hit back at Vice President Kashim Shettima over his criticism of the union’s recent strike against the Dangote refinery. The union said it would not hesitate to take similar action again if its members were unfairly dismissed.
Last week, PENGASSAN shut down vital oil and gas operations after alleging that the Dangote refinery sacked 800 workers for joining the union. The company, however, claimed it only let go of a few workers accused of sabotage. The strike, which disrupted fuel supply and power generation, was suspended after government mediation led to the redeployment of the affected staff.
Despite the truce, tension flared on Monday when Shettima described Dangote as “an institution” and warned that no group should hold the nation to ransom. He praised Dangote’s investment in Nigeria and urged labour unions to act with patriotism, insisting that “Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN.”
In response, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo said the nation was also “bigger than Dangote and the Presidency.” He stressed that the union’s duty is to defend the rights of its members and that it would respond the same way if such dismissals occurred again. “Does the law prohibit workers’ right to strike?” Osifo asked, dismissing talk of government plans to dissolve the union.
Meanwhile, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, assured that the Federal Government remains focused on stabilising the economy through domestic production and reforms aimed at reducing inflation and sustaining growth.