Rift with PENGASSAN: Dangote Refinery applauds Tinubu, Nigerians

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Office of the National Security Adviser and other top government officials for their roles in finding solution to the dispute between it and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Dangote, in a statement on Sunday hailed the government officials for their role in resolving what it described as the “disruptive actions of PENGASSAN” against the refinery.

“Dangote Refinery is grateful to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for his intervention, through his ministers and senior officials, which resulted in the abatement of the disruptive actions of PENGASSAN against the Refinery.

“We remain very grateful to these officials for their patriotism and national service,” it said in a statement on Sunday.

The company also expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their supportive voices and words of encouragement during the battle with PENGASSAN

“You gave us hope and reinforced our belief in the Nigerian nation and people as the backbone of our enterprise.

“Be assured that we would continue to work for and in your interest and persist in always protecting that interest against rent seekers, economic saboteurs and economic squatters.

“To our loyal workers, who ensured that our operations were not disrupted even for a second, we thank and appreciate you,” the company stated.

Dangote also assured assured Nigerians that it would not relent in serving the nation faithfully and diligently through the uninterrupted production of petroleum products.

“Our commitment to the Nigerian nation and our pact with its people remain undiluted, undiminished and unalterable notwithstanding the distractions from our detractors and the saboteurs in our midst,” the statement added.

Recall that PENGASSAN last Wednesday called off its industrial dispute with Dangote Refinery after government’s intervention.

The strike was initially triggered by the reported mass sack of more than 800 Nigerian workers by Dangote Petrochemicals and Fertiliser Limited after they voluntarily subscribed to join PENGASSAN.

The President of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said the union decided to suspend the strike out of respect for institutions, in spite of serious concerns over loopholes in the government-brokered agreement reached with Dangote management.

“Even with our doubts about Dangote’s sincerity, we have chosen the moral high ground. Nigerians must see PENGASSAN as patriotic, law-abiding and committed to sustaining national economic stability,” he stated.

Osifo said the union’s main demand was full reinstatement of the affected workers, but government instead opted for redeployment within related companies owned by the Dangote Group.

“Our position was simple: bring them back to their original jobs. Government proposed a middle ground instead, and that remains our greatest reservation with the settlement,” Osifo explained.

He added that the union accepted the compromise reluctantly, noting that the most important thing now was to get the affected workers back to earning and feeding their families.

However, Osifo made it clear that PENGASSAN would not be misled by unfulfilled promises or prolonged delays.

“We will not wait endlessly if nothing happens.

“We suspended the action in good faith to respect government. But the moment we detect any foul play or gimmicks, we will return to the trenches immediately,” he said. (NAN)