The Federal Government has successfully mediated a resolution between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) following two days of intense conciliation.
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The breakthrough was announced on Wednesday in a statement by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, after lengthy discussions between the two parties.
The meeting, facilitated by Dr. Dingyadi, produced several key agreements. The Minister reiterated that unionisation is a fundamental right under Nigerian law and must be upheld by the company. The Dangote Group management also committed to redeploying disengaged staff to other companies within the group without any loss of pay. Both sides agreed that no worker would face victimisation due to their involvement in the dispute, while PENGASSAN began the process of suspending its strike in good faith.
The government delegation that helped broker the deal included National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Senator Atiku Bagudu, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Director-General of the DSS Adeola Ajayi, and Director-General of the NIA Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
The dispute initially arose over allegations that Dangote Petroleum Refinery had engaged in mass transfers and sackings of union members and allegedly replaced some Nigerian staff with foreign workers, reports the company has consistently denied.
