The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has reiterated its commitment to continue advocating for the rights of oil industry workers in light of the recent layoffs at Dangote Refinery.
The union expressed that it initially trusted the Federal Government as a mediator in its conflict with Dangote Refinery before deciding to suspend the nationwide strike.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, emphasized that the primary objective of the union is to protect the welfare and rights of the affected families.
He mentioned that PENGASSAN possesses “negotiation tools, discussion tools, and the means to escalate matters” if government efforts do not yield satisfactory results for its members.
Osifo indicated that the union received commitments from high-ranking government representatives, who assured that they would “compel the system to act justly” in resolving the issue.
PENGASSAN will closely monitor the implementation of these commitments, expressing doubts about Dangote’s willingness to adhere to the resolutions reached during the meeting.
“Do we have our doubts? Yes. Do we genuinely believe he will do the right thing? No, because there is a consistent history of breaking agreements,” Osifo stated, warning that the union will take action if workers are treated unfairly.
The union’s position follows a statement from the Ministry of Labour aimed at resolving the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN.
Osifo mentioned that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Association has decided to allow the government time to fulfill its promises, but the union will not hesitate to escalate the situation if there is no significant resolution.
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“It’s not just about PENGASSAN; it’s about the workers, the Nigerians, who were abruptly let go for exercising their right to associate,” he said, emphasizing that the union prioritizes the welfare of the affected families.
Osifo concluded by stating that PENGASSAN is prepared for negotiations but will utilize “every available means” to protect its members if discussions fail.
“PENGASSAN has existed long before Dangote Industries was established; we have been around for nearly 50 years, so we are not deterred by any deceit.
We are still here, and our negotiation and discussion tools are still at our disposal, ready to escalate if necessary,” he said.
