News Investigators/ A non -governmental organisation, The Osun Mastermind, has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the rift between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) .
The group’s Executive Director, Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, gave the advice on the sideline of its 2025 State of the State Address on Monday in Osogbo.
Prof. Oyedokun -Alli said the lingering face-off between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery had implications on national development.
He said that PENGASSAN had raised concerns about labour rights and welfare, while Dangote Refinery said a national asset must be protected from undue disruptions.
” We must be clear, both parties share in the blame for escalation of this dispute and the responsibility lies with the Federal Government, which must not fold its arms .
” Also, the critical matter threatens the already fragile economic stability of the country,” Oyedokun -Alli.
According to him, we call on the Federal Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and the Presidency to urgently mediate between the parties.
” A fair and lasting resolution must be brokered and it must be one that guarantees workers’ rights and sustains uninterrupted operations of the refinery.
” A smooth resolution of the ongoing feud will also restore confidence in the hearts of prospective investors, sending a signal that we have capacity to manage periodic instabilities of this nature and to protect business interests and investment.”
He appealed to Dangote and PENGASSAN to remain committed to dialogue in the best interest of the country’s economy.
Prof. Oyedokun -Alli,however , said that the Federal Government intervention should help to restore any pending industrial unrest in the sector.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that PENGASSAN had directed its members to halt gas supply to Dangote Petroleum Refinery with immediate effect, accusing the refinery’s management of disengaging unionised workers.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery condemned the plan to halt crude supply to the refinery, describing it as a “brazen, albeit shocking, display of lawlessness and criminality” by PENGASSAN.
NAN
