By Atoyebi Nike
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has clarified that it did not sign the communiqué that formally ended its nationwide strike against the Dangote Refinery.
The union, which began its strike on Sunday over the alleged illegal dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers and their replacement with over 2,000 Indian employees, suspended the industrial action on Wednesday following federal government intervention.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo said the communiqué was not an agreement, but merely a statement issued by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, who acted as chief conciliator. He stressed that the union suspended the strike in good faith, but key concerns remain unresolved.
Osifo reaffirmed that Dangote must immediately reinstate the affected workers. He dismissed the refinery’s allegations of sabotage by the dismissed employees, calling the claims “totally incorrect” and highlighting that clearing the stigma was a significant achievement for the union.
He warned that PENGASSAN could resume strike action without notice if the refinery fails to honour the resolutions, emphasizing the union’s commitment to protecting the rights of Nigerian workers.
