₦airaland Forum

The nationwide strike announced by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday, September 29, paralyzed operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The industrial action, triggered by a directive from the union’s National Executive Council (NEC)on Saturday September 27, saw members across the country withdrawing their services, effectively paralyzing agencies central to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main entrance was firmly closed, leaving staff stranded outside.

Security personnel confirmed that no employees were allowed entry, in accordance with the strike directive.

Similarly, activities at the NMDPRA headquarters in the central business district were completely suspended, as workers fully adhered to the industrial action.

PENGASSAN’s chairman at NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, confirmed 100 per cent compliance, noting that access was restricted for both staff and visitors.

He added that similar compliance levels had been achieved at NNPCL and other relevant agencies nationwide.

The union stated that the strike became unavoidable following the alleged wrongful dismissal of approximately 800 employees at Dangote petroleum refinery.

PENGASSAN’s directive to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery has sparked widespread concern in the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of potential disruptions in fuel distribution, which could tighten supply and drive up prices in the domestic market.

The strike notice, issued on Sunday, September 28, instructed all members across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to stop work from 12 am on Monday, September 29.

Members at field locations were directed to down tools from 6 am and participate in a continuous prayer vigil.

In a resolution signed by general secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN accused the refinery of breaching Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions by dismissing employees for union participation and reportedly replacing them with foreign workers.

The resolution declared, “All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately.

“All International Oil Companies branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”

The development has heightened fears of fuel scarcity and blackouts, as NNPC remains the sole importer of petrol while the midstream and downstream authority regulates supply and distribution.

Similarly, NUPRC is responsible for monitoring crude production and enforcing gas supply obligations to power plants.

All eyes are now on Monday September 29’s emergency meeting convened by the minister of labour, whether dialogue can restore calm or whether Nigeria plunges deeper into crisis may depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise.

This is the problem so called "rich big men" causes in Nigeria. They believe they are above the law.

I hope this is quickly resolved ooo

Dangote should call back his workers rather than looking for more Indians to replace Nigerians

He runs a refinery where workers are exposed to risk of injuries and even losing their lives, they need an umbrella that will constantly negotiate with dangote regarding their welfare. If his workers will not join pengassan at least let them have a recognized union

Only those who have not worked under Indians before will not understand that those guys are slave masters and always want to threat Nigerians as thrash.

Zionmdde:
I hope this is quickly resolved ooo

Dangote should call back his workers rather than looking for more Indians to replace Nigerians

He runs a refinery where workers are exposed to risk of injuries and even losing their lives, they need an umbrella that will constantly negotiate with dangote regarding their welfare. If his workers will not join pengassan at least let them have a recognized union

Only those who have not worked under Indians before will not understand that those guys are slave masters and always want to threat Nigerians as thrash.

You must be among the sacked workers is there any Compulsion your must work in Dangote Refinery
If condition are bad move to Total EP

Educationalserv:
You must be among the sacked workers is there any Compulsion your must work in Dangote Refinery
If condition are bad move to Total EP

Am glad I have so identified with them that you think am one of them. That's the spirit of fighting for one another

I hope one day you don't wake up and find your means of livelihood taken away from you, and you are asked to find alternatives.

Educationalserv:
You must be among the sacked workers is there any Compulsion your must work in Dangote Refinery
If condition are bad move to Total EP

Bros eh go reach you. Just give am time.

Zionmdde:
I hope this is quickly resolved ooo

Dangote should call back his workers rather than looking for more Indians to replace Nigerians

He runs a refinery where workers are exposed to risk of injuries and even losing their lives, they need an umbrella that will constantly negotiate with dangote regarding their welfare. If his workers will not join pengassan at least let them have a recognized union

Only those who have not worked under Indians before will not understand that those guys are slave masters and always want to threat Nigerians as thrash.

Its not a must to work in Dangote refinery. Pengassan should set up their refinery and employ as many Nigerians as they want, plus give you welfare that your salary can't provide.
Shey the same Pengassan working for your welfare was blind when 4 government refinery was shutdown. Na Dangote own una one go dictate how him go run am. Shameless bunch

MrNovo:
Its not a must to work in Dangote refinery. Pengassan should set up their refinery and employ as many Nigerians as they want, plus give you welfare that your salary can't provide.
Shey the same Pengassan working for your welfare was blind when 4 government refinery was shutdown. Na Dangote own una one go dictate how him go run am. Shameless bunch

Same as asking ASUU to build universities
MAN to build industries
NMA to build hospitals
NANS to build universities
NUPENG to buy petrol tankers and Build petrol farms

Congrats that's how smart you sound
Cheers!!!!

If they like Let them shut down aso rock is not my business. As long as dangota refinery is working no problem. If the deny him crude. He should import crude refine and sell abroad. Don't sell in nigeria. Let the union go build thr own refinery and decide what happens thr

Educationalserv:
You must be among the sacked workers is there any Compulsion your must work in Dangote Refinery
If condition are bad move to Total EP

Very terrible.

MrNovo:
Its not a must to work in Dangote refinery. Pengassan should set up their refinery and employ as many Nigerians as they want, plus give you welfare that your salary can't provide.
Shey the same Pengassan working for your welfare was blind when 4 government refinery was shutdown. Na Dangote own una one go dictate how him go run am. Shameless bunch

Why is Donald Trump imposing a $100000 dollar charge on H1 Visa.
Why did ICE bundle South Korean workers out if the Hyundai factory

Dangote has rights as a business man but they are subordinate to Nigerian national interest
Who approved visas for Indian workers

We should learn from Trump

Dangote has not fully and transparency told Nigerians the extent of subsidy he got from the Nigerian taxpayers by way of loans under Emefiele,, the subsidised dollars and the import duty wavers

For your information the right to join a union is not a law by way of legislation it is a constitutional right. Digest that a right

Workers have a right to join a union and there is nothing any employer can do about that

Zionmdde:
Same as asking ASUU to build universities
MAN to build industries
NMA to build hospitals
NANS to build universities
NUPENG to buy petrol tankers and Build petrol farms

Congrats that's how smart you sound
Cheers!!!!

Your comment reeks of ignorance!

In case you didn't even know, ASUU members are university lecturers in government universities. Why did ASUU not compel lecturers of private institutions like Covenant university, Redeemer's, Babcock etc to join them? It's simply because as much as unionism is a right, choosing not to belong is also a right. And these are private businesses, not government enterprise.

How many times have you heard NMA going to picket private hospitals for not joining the union? It is just very wrong under whatever guise. The most they should do is build their own refinery and make their own laws.

Dangote is a private business with internal policies. And if they truly signed to not join any union before they were employed, then it amounts to going against the contract they signed and the company could also decide to invoke the consequences for such.

Besides, you are not even thinking of the far reaching effect of all these!.

If you happen to be an investor, would you ever consider running a business in such an environment?

Do you want Nigeria to go back to depending on imported fuel and then return the landing cost narratives?

Make una dey think na

Zionmdde:
Am glad I have so identified with them that you think am one of them. That's the spirit of fighting for one another

I hope one day you don't wake up and find your means of livelihood taken away from you, and you are asked to find alternatives.

Funny to know you're one of those who do things without thinking of the consequences. Continue! By the time the refinery grinds to a halt and importation becomes the other of the day and it in turn brings about galloping inflation and the likes, I hope you will not come online to cry how the government has been bad and prices have gone up and fuel has not been available despite producing crude in this country. But to think of all these effects now, all you want is chaos.

Keep it up. All of us will suffer it together!

yemre:
Your comment reeks of ignorance!

In case you didn't even know, ASUU members are university lecturers in government universities. Why did ASUU not compel lecturers of private institutions like Covenant university, Redeemer's, Babcock etc to join them? It's simply because as much as unionism is a right, choosing not to belong is also a right. And these are private businesses, not government enterprise.

How many times have you heard NMA going to picket private hospitals for not joining the union? It is just very wrong under whatever guise. The most they should do is build their own refinery and make their own laws.

Dangote is a private business with internal policies. And if they truly signed to not join any union before they were employed, then it amounts to going against the contract they signed and the company could also decide to invoke the consequences for such.

Besides, you are not even thinking of the far reaching effect of all these!.

If you happen to be an investor, would you ever consider running a business in such an environment?

Do you want Nigeria to go back to depending on imported fuel and then return the landing cost narratives?

Make una dey think na

OK tell dangote to make public the contract they signed and
Go and end the strike na

This pengasson sef any Dem touch dey usually parralyse

See how many Nigerian entity Dem done cripple

Dem wan carry Dangote handicap

Zionmdde:
Am glad I have so identified with them that you think am one of them. That's the spirit of fighting for one another

I hope one day you don't wake up and find your means of livelihood taken away from you, and you are asked to find alternatives.

That prayer can only work IF you adhere to Management rules ... if you build your own company let your staff defy instructions and dictate to you because they have " Fundamental right"

Perfect Boss