By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Federal Government has secured a breakthrough in the standoff between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), ending days of uncertainty in the oil and gas sector.
Following two days of marathon negotiations in Abuja, the government announced on Wednesday that Dangote Group has agreed to redeploy all disengaged refinery staff to other companies within its conglomerate, with no loss of pay.
In turn, PENGASSAN has consented to begin the process of calling off its nationwide strike.
Labour Minister, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, who chaired the talks, stressed that workers’ rights to unionisation are protected under Nigerian law and must be respected.
“No worker will suffer victimisation for their role in the impasse,” he assured.
The resolution came after high-level deliberations involving National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Budget Minister Senator Atiku Bagudu, Minister of State for Labour Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi, and NIA Director-General Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
With this agreement, the refinery crisis that threatened to cripple petroleum operations has been averted, restoring calm to the sector.
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