PENGASSAN Suspends Strike as Dangote Refinery Agrees to Recall Sacked Workers

The Federal Government has announced a resolution to the recent industrial dispute involving the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), resulting in the suspension of strike action and the redeployment of affected staff.

Following a two-day dialogue between representatives of the Federal Government, PENGASSAN, and Dangote Refinery management, an agreement was reached to reinstate workers who were previously disengaged for their affiliation with the union. In response, PENGASSAN has officially suspended its two-day strike against the company.

Confirming the development in a statement issued in Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, stated that the Dangote Group has committed to redeploying the affected employees to other roles within the company. He further assured that no worker would suffer any loss of pay as a result of the redeployment.

The swift resolution reflects the government’s efforts to maintain industrial harmony in the oil and gas sector, particularly at a time when the country is pursuing economic reforms.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to unite in the task of rebuilding the nation. In his Independence Day address, he acknowledged the economic difficulties brought on by recent reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, but maintained that the measures were necessary to avert a larger crisis. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to shift from being a consumer economy to one focused on production.