The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued an interim injunction stopping the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from executing its planned nationwide strike aimed at crippling operations at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
In his ruling on Monday, Justice Emmanuel Sublim restrained PENGASSAN and its allies from cutting crude and gas supplies to the $20 billion facility, warning that such action could inflict severe damage on Nigeria’s already fragile economy.
The order also restrained the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from enforcing any directive linked to PENGASSAN’s strike. The case was adjourned to October 13 for a hearing.
Read Also:Dangote Refinery Queries Union Over Crude Supply Cuts
Meanwhile, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has assured Nigerians of an uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene, and cooking gas despite threats from the oil workers’ union.
The assurance follows reports of an alleged plot by PENGASSAN members, in collaboration with hired thugs, to attack critical refinery units, particularly those involved in petrol production. Intelligence sources warn that the disruption plan is already at an advanced stage.
Over the weekend, PENGASSAN reportedly instructed its branches in oil majors such as TotalEnergies, Chevron, Seplat, Shell Nigeria Gas, and Oando to shut crude oil valves and halt vessel loading operations bound for the refinery.
In response, the Dangote Refinery described the directive as “lawless and deliberate sabotage against Nigeria and its people,” dismissing union claims of anti-labour practices. The company explained that its recent internal restructuring was aimed at addressing persistent sabotage within sensitive departments and was not targeted at Nigerian employees.
“More than 3,000 Nigerians remain fully employed and have unrestricted access to the refinery,” the company stated, clarifying that only a minimal number of workers were affected by the review process.
Sources disclosed that the refinery has requested heightened security surveillance to forestall attacks, warning that the alleged sabotage plot is designed to cripple domestic refining progress and push Nigeria back into dependence on imported fuel.
“Despite these threats, Dangote Refinery remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted production and supply of petroleum products for Nigerians and businesses,” a source close to the company affirmed.