The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has ordered an immediate suspension of gas supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Bellnews reports that the latest development has escalated the growing labour dispute with the company.
In a letter dated September 26 and signed by the union’s General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, PENGASSAN directed all its members, especially those in the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) branch, to halt gas supply to the multibillion-dollar refinery without delay.
The directive also includes shutting crude oil supply valves and suspending loading operations for vessels destined for the facility.
The union accused the refinery’s management of unlawfully disengaging unionised workers and launching a “mission of misinformation and propaganda” instead of engaging in genuine dialogue with organised labour.
“This action is a necessary response to defend the constitutional rights of workers to freely associate and unionise,” the letter stated. “Injury to one! Injury to all!”
The confrontation follows reports that the company recently laid off more than 800 Nigerian workers — a decision PENGASSAN described as “anti-labour, insensitive, and unacceptable.” The union vowed to resist the move through nationwide solidarity actions unless the decision is reversed.
The Dangote Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos, is Africa’s largest petroleum refining facility and Nigeria’s biggest domestic source of refined products. Since commencing partial operations, it has been central to the country’s efforts to reduce fuel imports and stabilise local supply.