By Abiola Olawale
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has issued an urgent directive to its members to halt all gas and crude oil supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery effective immediately.
In a strongly worded letter dated September 26, signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, the association demanded an instant cutoff of gas to the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC), closure of all crude oil supply valves, and suspension of vessel loading activities bound for the facility.
The order followed the alleged sack of 800 workers by Dangote Petroleum Refinery last Thursday.
The letter reads in part: “We bring you fraternal greetings from the National Secretariat. As you are aware, the Management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members in reaction to the exercise of their constitutional right to be unionized.
“They have gone further on a mission of misinformation and propaganda to justify this illegitimacy rather than engaging meaningfully with us to right the wrong.
“Consequent to these, you are hereby directed to cut off gas supply to NGIC effective immediately. All crude oil supply valves to the Refinery should be shut. The loading operation for the vessel headed there should be halted immediately.
“NGIC Chairman, ensure that gas supply to the Refinery is cut off effective immediately.
“All chairmen on this summons are to report promptly the progress of the directive.
Kindly accept the assurances of our highest esteem. Thank you.
Injury to one, Injury to all”
