PENGASSAN has suspended its nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery after government-brokered talks in Abuja.
The union warned the action is only paused and will resume if agreements are broken.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its nationwide strike against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery following talks brokered by the Federal Government.
Union President Festus Osifo announced the decision on Wednesday in Abuja after several hours of negotiations with government officials and representatives of the refinery. The strike began on Sunday over alleged anti-union practices at the refinery and disrupted parts of Nigeria’s oil and gas activities before the truce was reached.
Osifo explained that the decision to suspend the action was based on government intervention, but stressed that the suspension is temporary. He said, “We are only suspending, not calling off this strike. If any part of this agreement is broken, we will not give any warning. We will immediately resume our suspended industrial action.”
He emphasized that the industrial dispute was rooted in workers’ rights to freedom of association and fair treatment. According to him, union members joined PENGASSAN to secure better welfare and fair pay.
Although the union signed a communique under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour, Osifo maintained that PENGASSAN was not fully satisfied with the outcome. He accused Dangote of often disregarding agreements, citing similar disputes with the oil workers’ union NUPENG.
He added that the union was taking the “moral high ground” out of respect for government officials who stayed up late to resolve the matter, but warned that members would not hesitate to resume the strike if the company fails to comply.
