Dangote Refinery Accuses PENGASSAN, TUC of Chasing Dues Over Workers’ Welfare

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has blamed Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) of pursuing union fees and individual agendas rather than workers’ welfare.

In a vitriolic statement issued on Monday, the refinery accused the TUC of issuing what it termed as a “zombie-like” call of solidarity with PENGASSAN, before it could verify the charges made against the management of the refinery.

We are commanded that he who hears one side and passes judgment without hearing the other side is a fool. Unfortunately, the Trade Union Congress has been in that regard,” stated the refinery, castigating the union for what it termed as precipitate judgment.

Dangote Refinery blamed the unions for their actions being driven mostly by a desire to collect check-off dues. It paraphrased PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo, who recently revealed on Channels Television that the union had written to the refinery to resume paying dues just a day after the workers allegedly unionised.

This showed, the company said, that the unions’ worry was not over workers’ rights but about money benefits. “PENGASSAN and TUC are two peas in a pod,” the press release reported. “Their concern does not extend beyond themselves and oligarchs who run their show. The monthly check-off dues and other subscriptions that fund their lifestyle are their prime concern.”

The refinery also accused PENGASSAN, TUC, and other allied unions such as NUPENG of not being accountable for funds raised from their members, and using them to finance “lavish and opulent lifestyles” of their leaders.

It called on the federal government to resist what it described as efforts by labour leaders to take Nigeria into “darkness and anarchy” through industrial sabotage, pointing out that the refinery is a national asset that must be protected.

Dangote Refinery dared the unions to openness, asking PENGASSAN, TUC, and NUPENG to publish their 10-year audited account books and asking that Nigerians and workers know how union funds are spent.