PENGASSAN’s nationwide strike has shut key oil and gas agencies, sparking fears of fuel shortages.
Union says dismissals at Dangote Refinery prompted action, halting crude and gas supplies nationwide.
SEE ALSO: Fuel Price and Power Supply at Risk as Oil Workers Begin Strike
A nationwide strike launched on Monday by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has brought activities to a halt at key oil and gas agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The action, ordered by the union’s National Executive Council, saw members across the country withdraw their services, shutting down agencies that regulate Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was locked and workers were stranded outside. Security officials confirmed that staff were not allowed into the building in line with the strike order. A similar situation was seen at the NMDPRA offices in the Central Business District where activities were completely suspended.
The PENGASSAN chairman at NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, told journalists there was “100 per cent compliance,” and said the same was achieved at NNPC and other affected agencies.
The union said it embarked on the strike over the dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. It also ordered a halt to crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery, a move oil marketers say could disrupt fuel distribution and push up prices nationwide.
According to a resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the refinery allegedly broke Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation standards by sacking workers for joining the union. The union also accused the refinery of replacing the dismissed workers with foreigners.
“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be stopped immediately,” the resolution read. “All international oil companies must reduce gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”
The development has raised fears of possible fuel scarcity and power blackouts, as NNPC is the country’s sole petrol importer, while NMDPRA oversees supply and distribution. NUPRC monitors crude production and enforces gas supply to power plants.
An emergency meeting called by the Minister of Labour is expected to hold later today, as stakeholders hope for a quick resolution to prevent the crisis from worsening.
