PENGASSAN Suspends Strike After FG Brokered Deal with Dangote

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its three-day-old industrial action following an agreement brokered by the Federal government.

In the agreement signed by PENGASSAN and the Dangote Refinery Group on Tuesday night, the company agreed to reabsorb the over 800 staff who had been sacked for allegedly joining PENGASSAN.

Addressing a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, said the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union met and resolved to suspend the strike as a mark of respect to the sacrifices made by the federal government and other stakeholders to broker peace.

“We have suspended the industrial action. And in good faith, as a demonstration to the government that we respect institutions, as a demonstration to the government that we are extremely patient. But this suspended action will come back if there is a breach of the agreement,” he said.

Osifo, however, said the agreement did not fully address the demands of PENGASSAN as it failed to give specific guarantees that the sacked workers will be returned to their jobs at the refinery and not places outside the jurisdiction of the association.

He said the union accepted the deal but has pointed out the grey areas to the federal government.

Osifo said that though it was the desire of the association to bring worker back to their positions the government otherwise. He said the union accepted the deal as a compromise out of respect for the government and Nigerians.

According to the PENGASSAN President, the federal government should prevail on Dangote Refinery not to renege on the agreement because such a stance would draw the wrath of workers in the oil and gas industry.

He said the Union would not hesitate to resume the strike if Dangote Refinery’s management reneges on the agreement to recall the affected staff.

“We will not give any warning. We will resume the suspended industrial action immediately,” he said.

The PENGASSAN president also responded to what he described as wrong assertions and misconceptions ascribed to the union as a result of the dispute with Dangote Refinery.

He said most Nigerians are ignorant of the real issues that necessitated the strike in the first instance, saying PENGASSAN was not after check-up dues as alleged in some quarters, but to protect young oil and gas workers who voluntarily agreed to be part of the union.

On the allegation of sabotaging the company, Osifo dismissed it, saying that PENGASSAN has members in big multinational oil companies operating in the country and has contributed to their progress and growth.

He also dismissed the insinuation that the association was after the check off dues that it will get from the Dangote, adding that PENGASSAN is only interested in given the workers a platform to push for and safeguard their welfare

The strike by the oil workers persisted for three days, literally shutting down the country’s oil and gas sector following the inability of the parties to reach an agreement.

The federal government intervened, moving the meeting involving stakeholders in the oil and gas industry from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where negotiation was stalled to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) last night, where both sides finally agreed to a truce.

​  

  • Related Posts

    BREAKING: Armed Policemen, Thugs Attack Oworonshoki Residents As Lagos Government Task Force Resumes Demolition

    This was as the Lagos State Task Force resumed its demolition activities in the Oworonshoki area, sparking fears of violence and displacement among residents.   ArticlesRead More 

    BREAKING: Lagos Government Task Force Teargasses Residents, Resumes Demolition In Oworonshoki, Leaving People Homeless, Fearful

    According to eyewitnesses who spoke to SaharaReporters, they described scenes of chaos and desperation, with teargas deployed in Miyaki and demolition underway in Ojeleru  ArticlesRead More 

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Business & Economy

    Nigerian banks’ deposits with CBN hit record levels in one week  

    Meet 10 owners of CBN-licensed Mobile Money Operators in Nigeria

    Warri–Itakpe train service to resumes October 29 after temporary suspension -NRC

    Best performing Nigerian stocks for the week ended October 24, 2025 

    Nigeria’s recurrent debt exceeds projection by N1.63 trillion in Q4 2024 – Budget Office 

    Nigeria’s removal from FATF grey list marks boost for financial credibility – CBN

    Nigeria’s removal from FATF grey list marks boost for financial credibility – CBN

    Afreximbank to launch financing window for Africa’s mineral processing projects 

    Revaluation gain helps Tolaram-backed Guinness Nigeria return to profitability

    Revaluation gain helps Tolaram-backed Guinness Nigeria return to profitability

    Nigerian Breweries records ₦1.04 trillion revenue in nine months

    Nigerian Breweries records ₦1.04 trillion revenue in nine months

    D&M S2 Ep 8: Cyber Fraud, Gold Crash, Capital Gain Tax heat and AI Land Grab

    Flutterwave, Paga CEOs hail FATF exit as boost for cross-border payments 

    Inflation War: Between Official Triumph and Citizens’ Tears

    NNPC lauds Ekperikpe, Mshelbila’s election into top positions in global gas forum

    NNPC lauds Ekperikpe, Mshelbila’s election into top positions in global gas forum

    Roxettes Group mulls relocating plants from Southeast to Lagos over insecurity  

    Lagos reintroduces another 61-day amnesty window on existing buildings without planning permit

    LivingTrust Mortgage Bank records N255.6 million pre-tax profit in Q3 2025, up 7.04% 

    Lagos insists computer village relocation will soon be a reality with flexible payment plan

    Abbey Mortgage posts N670 million pre-tax profit in Q3 2025, beats forecast

    Naira breaks below N2,000/£ against the British Pound Sterling

    ATM withdrawals climb to N15.97 trillion in Q1 2025 despite new fees 

    S&P Global Commodity Insights targets Nigeria’s mineral development push, opens country office

    S&P Global Commodity Insights targets Nigeria’s mineral development push, opens country office

    Canal+ takeover: MultiChoice to delist from Johannesburg Stock Exchange December 10  

    Red Star Express grows Q2 2025 profit by 98.8% as revenue hits N5.8 billion 

    Where to buy gold in Lagos: 5 markets every buyer should know 

    Access Holdings posts N320.57 billion pre-tax profit in first half of 2025 

    Top 10 high-paying artisan jobs in Germany for skilled migrants in 2025 

    Meet Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s new Chief of Army Staff 

    Fintech holds key to Africa’s $17 trillion real estate market – Virety CEO 

    Bank of Agriculture secures $200 million Livelihood Support Fund for displaced Nigerians  

    Lagos Free Zone remains the best investment destination for Nordic businesses in Nigeria – CEO, LFZ, Adesuwa Ladoja 

    Customs intercepts drugs concealed in imported vehicles worth N5.3 billion at Tin Can Port 

    DMO re-opens N260 billion AUG-2030, JUN-2032 bonds on Monday 

    Finally, Nigeria Exits FATF, Global Financial Crime Watchlist

    Abimbola Olashore: As Kids, We Used to Sit on NTA’sFloor for Tales By Moonlight

    Redesigning Skills for Nigeria, Others’ Creative Future

    Nivea Rolls-out 100million Fund to Advance Child Wellness