PENGASSAN Cracks Down: Gas Branch Executives Sacked Over Dangote Shutdown Failure

According to Ireporter Online, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has dissolved the branch leadership of the Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC) and NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) following allegations of non-compliance with the union’s strike directives.

The decision, reportedly conveyed in an internal memo on Monday, was prompted by claims that the affected branches failed to execute a complete gas supply shutdown to the Dangote Refinery during the nationwide industrial action held last month.

PENGASSAN had, on September 28, initiated a nationwide strike and directed its members to cut gas supply to the refinery as part of its protest actions. However, the national leadership alleged that the NGIC and NGML branches did not fully comply with the instruction.

The dissolved executives were also accused of colluding with management officials and allegedly receiving financial inducements to sabotage the shutdown order—allegations the affected congress members have strongly denied.

In a letter of appeal obtained by Ireporter Online, the congress members described the claims as unfounded and damaging to their integrity, insisting that the branch executives had taken considerable risks to implement the directive despite facing intense pressure and a heavy military presence.

They explained that while the shutdown was partially executed—closing several valves and cutting inlets from OB3 to Oben—it did not yield the expected drop in gas pressure, which prevented a total halt in supply.

“The branch executives acted in good faith and should not be punished for an operation that was technically challenging,” the members argued, rejecting any suggestion of compromise or bribery.

The congress further warned that the dissolution could demoralize loyal members who had shown commitment during the strike, stressing that penalizing those who risked their safety could undermine future union solidarity.