Dangote Pooh-poohs PENGASSAN's Supply Cut Order

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has described as “criminal and reckless” the directive by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, directing its branches to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the 650,000 barrels-per-day plant.

In a statement weekend, Dangote noted that the directive, if enforced, would not only cripple operations at the facility but also amount to “economic sabotage” against the country. 

It stressed that threatening the supply of essential petroleum products, including petrol, aviation fuel, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas, amounted to economic sabotage.

PENGASSAN, had on Saturday, directed its branches in TotalEnergies E&P, Seplat, Renaissance, Chevron, Oando, Shell Nigeria Gas, and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company, to shut crude supply valves to the Lekki- based refinery and cut gas flows effective immediately.

There had been a face- off between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery over the recent sacking of about 800 workers in the company over formation of the union by company workers, prompting PENGASSAN to directed it's branch chairmen to halt loading operations of vessels headed for the refinery and report progress on the implementation of the directive.

However, reacting to the development, Dangote, insisted that the union had no legal authority to interfere with existing supply contracts between the refinery and third-party vendors, pointing out that Nigeria remained a country governed by laws, not “mob action.”

According to Dangote, “This is a brazen, shocking display of lawlessness and criminality by PENGASSAN. Absolutely no law gives the union the right to cut off gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery or disrupt the performance of valid contracts.

“The refinery is a strategic national asset and one of the largest contributors to government revenue. The attempt by PENGASSAN to sabotage its operations is a disincentive to investors and a national embarrassment.

“No Nigerian household is insulated from the effects of this reckless directive. The repercussions will be grave, affecting every home, every business, and the aviation industry. This is a fight for all Nigerians.”

It then, warned that the directive could plunge the nation into fuel scarcity, trigger hardship for millions of households, and damage Nigeria’s investment image.

Dangote further urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intervene urgently just as it pleaded with Nigerians to resist what it described as a calculated attempt to inflict “unquantifiable hardship” on the population.

It further reminded PENGASSAN of its earlier pledge, in a press release on the same September 26, to pursue “necessary legal actions” against the company rather than resorting to self-help.