Labour Showdown Averted As PENGASSAN Halts Strike, Issues Stern Warning To Dangote Refinery

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has announced the suspension of its nationwide strike, which was launched in protest against the mass sack of workers at the Dangote Refinery.

According to Ireporter Online, the decision was made public on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja by the union’s president, Festus Osifo, who disclosed that an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council resolved to suspend the strike. He explained that the suspension followed a reconciliatory agreement brokered by the federal government, which ensured that the disengaged workers would be reabsorbed into other Dangote Group subsidiaries without loss of benefits.

Osifo, however, cautioned that the suspension was conditional, stressing that the union would not hesitate to resume the strike without prior notice if Dangote Refinery reneges on any part of the agreement. He noted that certain “grey areas” still remain unresolved in the communiqué, highlighting concerns about how some aspects would be implemented.

The federal government, in a bid to avert disruption to fuel supply, intervened in the dispute and facilitated two days of negotiations between both parties. The talks culminated in an agreement that resolved the labour crisis, with top government officials such as National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Labour Minister Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, Finance Minister Wale Edun, and other key figures present at the meeting.

While welcoming the intervention, PENGASSAN emphasized that it would be closely monitoring compliance by the Dangote management and would act swiftly if the agreement was violated.