The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has clarified that it did not sign the communiqué presented after the suspension of its nationwide strike against the Dangote Refinery, warning that the industrial action could resume at any time.
The strike, which began on Sunday, was called off on Wednesday following the intervention of the Federal Government.
However, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, told journalists in Abuja that the union’s concerns were not fully addressed and described the resolutions as incomplete.
“We did not sign that communiqué because we found certain provisions unacceptable,” Osifo explained.
“Normally, three parties should endorse such a document, but what was presented was merely a statement from the Minister of Labour, Muhammadu Dingyadi, who acted as conciliator.”
PENGASSAN had accused the refinery of unlawfully dismissing more than 800 Nigerian workers and replacing them with over 2,000 expatriates from India.
The union insisted on the immediate reinstatement of the affected workers.
Osifo disclosed that Dangote initially resisted the demand but later agreed to review the decision after government pressure.
He dismissed the company’s earlier claim that the disengaged workers had engaged in sabotage, describing it as damaging and untrue.
“If we had allowed that sabotage allegation to stand, those 800 workers would have carried that stigma for life, making it almost impossible for them to secure jobs again,” Osifo said.
“Getting that false claim cleared was a big win for us.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Osifo stressed that the strike was suspended in good faith but could be reactivated without notice if the refinery management fails to comply with the resolutions.
“When we took the communiqué to our NEC, we prioritised members’ welfare and their ability to return to work. Suggestions that we were only fighting for check-off dues are false. This struggle is about protecting Nigerian workers,” he maintained.
He added that PENGASSAN’s fight was not about self-interest but about defending workers’ rights.
“We have been around for 50 years before the Dangote Refinery came on stream. If management does not do the needful, our tools are always ready. We won’t hesitate to act again,” Osifo warned.
