₦airaland Forum

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has asked Nigerians to stand against the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the industrial action against the company.

In a statement on Monday, the refinery described the TUC as “zombie-like” for declaring full solidarity with PENGASSAN and threatening a nationwide strike “without making any effort to verify the claims on which the action was based”.

“We are told that he who hears only from one side and passes judgment without hearing the other side is a fool. Unfortunately, the Trade Union Congress has placed itself in that position,” the statement reads.

“Without hearing from Dangote Refinery, the congress has passed a guilty verdict on the refinery’s management and now parrots the PENGASSAN line, zombie-like, calling ‘for a national industrial action if Dangote management fails to comply with’ its demands.”

Dangote refinery alleged that both unions are motivated by the desire to secure check-off dues.

The company cited remarks by Festus Osifo, PENGASSAN president, who said during a recent interview that the union wrote to Dangote refinery to remit dues barely a day after workers allegedly unionised.


‘TUC, PENGASSAN CARE MORE ABOUT UNIONS’ DUES’

Dangote refinery dismissed PENGASSAN and TUC as “twins from the same womb,” insisting that their real agenda is not the protection of workers but the preservation of their financial interests.

“The monthly check-off dues and other subscriptions and scams that feed their lifestyles are the primary concern and interests of these oligarchs. At least, one of them, Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN admitted that much on national television very recently,” the company said.

“On account of these monthly check-off dues, PENGASSAN and its collaborators and co-conspirators – one of whom revealed itself as Trade Union Congress – are ready to plunge Nigeria and Nigerians into utter darkness and anarchy.”

The refinery accused PENGASSAN, TUC and their allies — including the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) — of failing to account for workers’ contributions while allegedly funding “lavish and opulent lifestyles”.

“We only see the proof of these check-off dues’ payments in their lavish and opulent lifestyles. It is time Nigerians stood up against these enemies of progress,” the statement added.

Dangote refinery urged the federal government to resist what it called attempts by labour leaders to return the country to “the dark ages” of energy insecurity and industrial sabotage.

“Dangote Refinery is a national asset that requires our collective protection and prayers. To paraphrase the TUC Press Release, TUC and its cohorts, ‘regardless of size or wealth’ must not ‘be allowed to trample on the dignity and rights of’ 230 million Nigerians,” the company said.

The refiner also challenged the unions to publish their financial records, saying that the workers on whose behalf they claim to act have a right to know how their monthly check-off dues are being managed.

On September 29, TUC called on the management of Dangote refinery to reverse the employment termination of “over 800 Nigerian employees”.

The directive comes amid a dispute between the refinery and PENGASSAN over mass dismissal of employees.

PENGASSAN, on September 26, instructed its members to embark on a nationwide strike over the dismissal.

Validated:
So Dangote does not want union, too bad. Even in developed economies, unions are allowed. You cannot continue the monopoly, unionization is a MUST HAVE.

Islie:
Dangote refinery asks Nigerians to stand against TUC, PENGASSAN amid labour dispute



https://www.thecable.ng/dangote-refinery-asks-nigerians-to-stand-against-tuc-pengassan-amid-labour-dispute/

slivertongue:
The monopolist should fight his battles with his likes and leave Nigerians to breathe fresh air

helinues:
Both of you have been self Centered about your decision making

slivertongue:
The monopolist should fight his battles with his likes and leave Nigerians to breathe fresh air

TheNobleProphet:
The union under late Kokori achieved their mandate because of Abacha's tyranny and annulment of the June 12 1993 election!

However, year 2025, this conflict the union has with Dangote is outrightly illegal and can be considered serious "economic sabotage" while trying to hold the country to ransom because of their "wickedness and destructive mindset" and I hope the judiciary urgently does something to permanently put these union "con men" where they belong!

It's truly shameful that with the enormous investment Dangote put into this huge refinery to rescue Nigeria from "dependency on imported petroleum products" as well as save real foreign exchange, these wizards masquerading as union want to destroy the gains!

President Tinubu, you who double as petroleum minister, will have to deal with this "critical economic matter" affecting the socioeconomic lives of Nigerians urgently and decisively! The time is now!

Good luck Nigeria!

Timeks:
Well, if the fight continues, petrol would go back to being above 1,100 Naira, so it affects us both directly and indirectly because of the it is the only Local Refinery in the country that is involve. This persistent action could force Dangote to resume selling petrol in Dollars, which would favour both the Unions and the Petroleum Marketers that import petrol. And it is we Nigerians that would still suffer it. Why is there no local Refinery in the country working right now. If there were other Local Refineries, the pressure of competition would have driven Dangote to agree. Dangote can simply decide to selling petrol to Nigeria and do only export, who looses. As he still makes his money.
That is the sad predicament we are in right now.

FuckYeyeMods:
What is happening in Dangote is very troubling.
The whole thing is exactly how Indian company owners would handle such situation. Hence, Nigerians should be careful before condemning PENGASSAN or TUC.
I admire Dangote alot but what's happening in and with Dangote refinery tell exactly how people have been defining who the real Dangote is.
Dangote investments is not Nigeria first but rather pure business investment to make more profits and gains.
Yes Dangote do create jobs but his ideology is not Nigeria first.
Sacking of those refinery workers is nothing but the doings of those Indians.
I have been opportuned to work at a decision making level in a Indian company as an Engineer. I know exactly how they run and manage their companies.

Validated:
So Dangote does not want union, too bad. Even in developed economies, unions are allowed. You cannot continue the monopoly, unionization is a MUST HAVE.

aribisala0:
Stand for what
Fact
SHELL IS A PRIVATE COMPANY
MOBIL IS PRIVATE
CHEVRON IS PRIVATE
TOTAL IS PRIVATE
AGIP IS PRIVATE

ALL OF THEM ARE BIGGER THAN DANGOTE

THOSE ARE THE COMPANIES THAT EMPLOY PENGASSAN MEMBERS

THEY HAVE LIVED IN HARMONY FOR 50. YEARS

DANGOTE CAME TODAY AND SUDDENLY THERE IS PROBLEM



ALL THE PEOPLE SUPPORTING HIM HAVE BEEN SPONSORED
NO DOUBT

WHAT ARE WE STANDING U0 TO ?


That employer should have power to ban unionisation?

What does the constitution say ?

Islie:
Dangote refinery asks Nigerians to stand against TUC, PENGASSAN amid labour dispute



https://www.thecable.ng/dangote-refinery-asks-nigerians-to-stand-against-tuc-pengassan-amid-labour-dispute/