PENGASSAN Assures Nigerians of Steady Petrol Supply Despite Nationwide Strike Declaration, Directs Total Shutdown of Dangote Refinery Operations

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has moved to allay public fears of a looming fuel scarcity, assuring Nigerians that its scheduled nationwide strike will not disrupt the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

The industrial action, which is set to commence on Monday, stems from a bitter dispute with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over the alleged mass dismissal of approximately 800 Nigerian workers.

Speaking on Sunday, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, emphatically stated that despite the union’s directive for its members to withdraw services, the nation possesses ample fuel reserves to withstand any immediate shock. “There will be no disruption in the supply of petrol because of our strike tomorrow. We have fuel in our tanks that will serve us for more than 30 days,” Osifo noted.

However, the union confirmed the comprehensive scope of its punitive action against the embattled refinery. PENGASSAN has instructed its members across all field locations to down tools and specifically ordered a total cessation of gas and crude oil supply to the Dangote Refinery, in addition to withdrawing all personnel from its operations.

While the union targets a full shutdown of the refinery and its petrochemical operations, Osifo stressed that other supply lines across the country would remain unaffected. This strategic decision, he said, aims to avoid inflicting immediate hardship on the general populace, warning that any scarcity should be blamed solely on the Dangote refinery management.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, has urgently appealed to PENGASSAN to suspend the planned strike. The Ministry has extended an invitation to both the union’s leadership and the Dangote Refinery management to attend an emergency conciliation meeting scheduled for Monday, urging both parties to consider the petroleum sector’s vital importance to the national economy and security.