By Muhammad Mamman
Efforts by the Federal Government to resolve the dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) ended in deadlock on Monday night.
The meeting, which began at about 3:30 p.m. at the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja, dragged on until shortly after midnight but broke up without agreement. Talks are expected to resume today at 2 p.m.
The dispute stems from allegations by PENGASSAN that the refinery sacked and transferred union members, replacing some Nigerians with foreign nationals—claims the company has repeatedly denied.
Leading the union team was PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo, alongside Trade Union Congress General Secretary Nuhu Toro. The government delegation was led by Labour Minister Mohammad Dingyadi, while Dangote Refinery was represented by senior officials.
Dingyadi, in his opening remarks, stressed the gravity of the crisis, warning that industrial peace in the oil and gas sector was vital for Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security.
PENGASSAN insists its members will remain on strike until alleged anti-labour practices are reversed. Dangote Refinery, however, maintains that its restructuring is in line with global best practice.
The deadlock has heightened fears of disruption to refinery operations and petroleum product supply, with today’s resumed talks expected to determine whether a compromise can be reached to avert a full-blown crisis.
