Dangote Petroleum Refinery has strongly condemned the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for its plan to halt crude oil supply to the refinery.
The refinery’s management described the union’s directive as a “brazen and shocking display of lawlessness and criminality”, insisting that PENGASSAN has no legal authority to instruct its branches to cut off gas or crude oil supplies.
“No law grants PENGASSAN the right to direct its members to stop gas or crude supplies to Dangote Refinery,” the company stated on Saturday.
According to the refinery, any attempt by PENGASSAN or its members to disrupt or interfere with supply contracts constitutes criminal behaviour.
“Those contracts were signed between Dangote Refinery and independent vendors — not with PENGASSAN. The union has no right to interfere with their execution,” the statement said. “Nigeria is a country governed by laws, and our legal system does not tolerate mob action or self-help that could lead to chaos and anarchy.”
Dangote Refinery accused the union of abandoning its earlier pledge to pursue legal action and instead choosing “criminal conduct” by issuing a directive that could destabilise the nation.
The company further warned that the planned disruption amounts to economic sabotage on several fronts, as it would affect the supply of essential products such as aviation fuel, petrol, kerosene, diesel, and cooking gas.
“PENGASSAN’s directive aims to halt the supply of petroleum products to Nigerians. These are products used daily by everyone, from the wealthy to ordinary citizens. Such action is certainly not in the interest of the Nigerian state or its people,” the company argued.
It added that the union’s plan also threatens government revenue, as Dangote Refinery is a major contributor to both federal and state coffers.
The company cautioned that production and supply of vital petroleum products could stop entirely “if the PENGASSAN cabal” is allowed to carry out its “lawless directive”.
“We are calling on the Federal Government, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to intervene and stop PENGASSAN’s reckless actions. The consequences of this directive will harm all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
PENGASSAN had earlier ordered its members to immediately halt gas supply to Dangote Refinery. In a letter signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of dismissing unionised workers and spreading “misinformation and propaganda” instead of engaging in constructive dialogue.
It directed all branch chairmen, particularly at the NGIC branch, to ensure gas supply was cut off and crude oil valves shut, alongside a halt to all vessel loading operations headed for the refiner