The House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum Resources has criticised the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for directing its members to cut off gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery as part of its strike action.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to the committee, the union’s decision was taken without notice and exhaustion of the laid down procedures specified in trade union laws, warning that such a move could undermine investor confidence and destabilise the downstream petroleum sector.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said the supply cut will destabilise downstream stability and scare investors away from the country, stressing that the directive was issued hastily without following proper grievance-resolution channels.
Ugochinyere said, “This decision will scare away foreign investors who will be worried that due process does not count in addressing grievances in the sector.”
“There is need for the union to return to the table for direct talks to be presided over by the downstream committee with regulators, the labour ministry, and Dangote Refinery in attendance to find a working, sustainable solution.”
The committee called on PENGASSAN to suspend its directive immediately and allow lawmakers to step in as mediators.
Ugochinyere revealed that a downstream stability roundtable has been convened, bringing together Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), PENGASSAN, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and legislators.
He also announced the creation of a sub-committee chaired by Hon. Akin Rotimi, with Hon. Midala Usman, Hon. Billy Osawaru, and Hon. Mathew Nwaogu as members. Their mandate includes reviewing issues such as workers’ union rights, retrenchment allegations, and the extent of private companies’ authority to manage operations effectively.
The sub-committee has been given 14 days to submit its findings, with all stakeholdersincluding NUPENG, PENGASSAN, and Dangote Refinery asked to provide detailed documentation of the disputes to aid the House in crafting a resolution.
Reiterating the committee’s position, Ugochinyere noted that while workers’ grievances are recognised, actions that threaten national energy security cannot be supported.
He said, “This action is hasty and has multiplier effects on the energy needs of Nigerians, as well as potential damage to a delicate private sector investment. We call for the immediate suspension of the shutdown directive.”
