The federal government has invited the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery management for a reconciliation meeting on Monday as a measure aimed at suspending the nationwide strike announced by oil workers.
The action comes as the Trade Union Congress (TUC) vowed total solidarity with PENGASSAN, denouncing the dismissal of over 800 employees by the refinery and declaring that the act was contrary to Nigeria’s constitution and international labour conventions.
Labour and Employment Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi urged PENGASSAN to call off the strike, stating that shutting down the petroleum industry would have catastrophic economic implications and suffering on Nigerians. “We appeal to both of them to make room for peace, because the government will sort the matter out in the interest of all parties and the nation as a whole,” he added.
Meanwhile, power generation companies (GenCos) have threatened to inflict a virtual countrywide blackout following letters issued by gas suppliers instructing them to cut supply to thermal plants in line with PENGASSAN’s instruction. With the thermal plants contributing more than 70 percent of Nigeria’s electricity supply, stakeholders are concerned that the strike will lead to an outright collapse of the grid.
The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has warned PENGASSAN against shutting down crude and gas supplies to the refinery, calling on the union to seek legal redress rather than strangling the country’s energy industry.
PENGASSAN has pledged, however, to protest on until all the sacked workers are restored to the payroll, laying the groundwork for potentially one of the most crippling labour conflicts in years.
