Godsent Ogbebor – Abuja Correspondent
PENGASSAN Assures Strike Won’t Trigger Fuel Scarcity
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has assured Nigerians that its planned strike against Dangote Refinery will not result in fuel scarcity across the country.
The union had directed its members nationwide to withdraw their services from Monday over the alleged mass dismissal of nearly 1,000 Nigerian workers. The announcement raised public concern about possible long queues at filling stations.
PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo confirmed that the union had already cut gas supply to the refinery and fertiliser plants but said the industrial action would not immediately affect petrol supply.
Read also: TUC Backs PENGASSAN In Rift With Dangote Refinery
“As of today, tomorrow, even by next weekend, it will not lead to Nigerians queuing for petrol,” Osifo said. He, however, warned that the union would not accept what he described as an attack on workers’ rights to organise.
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, appealed to PENGASSAN to suspend the action, saying both parties had been invited to a meeting on Monday in Abuja to resolve the dispute.
Osifo confirmed the union would attend the meeting but insisted that its demand remained the total recall of sacked workers. He urged the government to prevail on Dangote Refinery, warning that the company’s actions were unacceptable in a democratic country.
