PENGASSAN Strike Shuts Down Petroleum Ministry, Key Oil Agencies
The nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday crippled operations at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and its key regulatory agencies.
Staff of the Ministry and agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), were locked out as union members barricaded entrances.
The industrial action follows the sack of about 800 workers at the Dangote Refinery, many of whom are said to belong to PENGASSAN. The union accused the refinery’s management of anti-labour practices and discrimination against local staff. In response, it directed members to halt crude oil and gas supply to the refinery and suspend operations in the field.
Dangote Refinery management, however, defended its decision, attributing the dismissals to repeated acts of sabotage that posed safety risks and disrupted operations.
At several locked offices on Monday, security operatives and union members were seen enforcing the strike directive. A PENGASSAN official at NNPC Ltd., who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the shutdown, saying no staff were allowed into the premises.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, has convened a meeting between both parties in an attempt to resolve the dispute and prevent further escalation.
