Cynthia Ezegwu
Operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions were paralysed on Monday as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) commenced a nationwide strike.
The strike, declared by the union’s National Executive Council, forced the closure of offices of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
When our correspondent visited the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was locked, leaving several staff stranded. Security operatives confirmed that no employee was allowed entry in compliance with the strike directive. A similar situation was observed at the NMDPRA headquarters in the Central Business District, where activities were completely grounded.
Confirming the development, PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, said the strike recorded “100 per cent compliance” across all affected agencies, including the NNPCL.
The union said the industrial action followed the alleged wrongful dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. It accused the refinery of violating labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking employees for joining the union and replacing them with foreigners.
In a resolution signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN directed members to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Refinery, a move that has sparked fears of severe disruptions in fuel distribution and possible scarcity.
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“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately. All IOC branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals,” the resolution read.
Oil marketers have already warned of looming fuel scarcity and possible price hikes, while power sector stakeholders fear disruptions to gas supply could trigger nationwide blackouts.
The Minister of Labour has convened an emergency meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Monday in a bid to resolve the dispute.