The management of Dangote Refinery has strongly condemned the directive issued by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) ordering oil workers to halt the supply of crude oil to the refinery.
In a statement on Sunday, the refinery described the union’s action as an act of economic sabotage that not only undermines the nation’s efforts at achieving energy security but also sends a negative signal to international investors.
According to the company, the decision to obstruct crude supply to a facility that is strategically positioned to end Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products is both “ill-conceived and inimical to national interest.”
“Dangote Refinery represents a critical milestone in Nigeria’s industrialization drive, and any attempt to frustrate its operations is nothing short of a national embarrassment,” the statement read.
The refinery, which commenced operations earlier this year, has been touted as a game-changer for Africa’s largest economy, with the capacity to process 650,000 barrels of crude per day. Its successful operation is expected to save Nigeria billions of dollars annually in fuel imports while creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Industry analysts fear that halting crude supply could disrupt the refinery’s production schedule, trigger shortages in the domestic market, and undermine the federal government’s broader economic reform agenda.
The refinery’s management has therefore appealed to the federal government, regulatory agencies, and relevant stakeholders to intervene urgently and ensure that crude oil continues to flow without disruption.
PENGASSAN, however, has defended its directive, citing alleged unfair labor practices and unresolved disputes with oil operators. The union insists that its action is aimed at protecting the welfare of workers across the petroleum sector.
As tensions rise, Nigerians await a resolution that balances industrial harmony with the strategic importance of sustaining operations at Africa’s largest oil refinery.