The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has lauded President Bola Tinubu for his “timely and decisive intervention” in resolving the recent industrial crisis involving the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which threatened to disrupt operations in the country’s energy sector.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the refinery commended the President’s leadership and the coordinated efforts of key ministers and security chiefs whose mediation “ensured the restoration of order and stability to the energy sector at a critical moment.”
“Dangote Refinery is grateful to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for his intervention, through his ministers and senior officials, which resulted in the abatement of the disruptive actions of PENGASSAN against the refinery,” the statement read.
Last week, PENGASSAN shut down key oil and gas installations following allegations that the refinery had sacked 800 unionised workers. The union later suspended the strike on Wednesday after a government-led negotiation restored normalcy.
The company praised the roles played by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi; and Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, for working “tirelessly” to de-escalate tensions.
It also commended the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Dingyadi; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, for their “patriotism and national service.”
“We remain very grateful to these officials for their patriotism and national service,” the company added.
Expressing appreciation to Nigerians, the refinery said public support during the dispute strengthened its resolve.
“To Nigerians of all walks of life, we owe you more than a debt of gratitude. Your support for our righteous cause was both humbling and overwhelming. We heard your supportive voices and words of encouragement literally in all the street corners and media channels of Nigeria and were energised and strengthened thereby,” it said.
The refinery accused unnamed “economic saboteurs” of working against Nigeria’s progress, vowing to continue defending national interests.
“Be assured that we would continue to work for and in your interest and persist in always protecting that interest against rent seekers, economic saboteurs, and economic squatters,” it added.
Dangote Refinery further hailed its staff for maintaining operations throughout the crisis despite “provocative and inciting comments” from detractors.
“To our loyal workers, who ensured that our operations were not disrupted even for a second, we thank and appreciate you,” the statement read. “The strength of Dangote Group lies in our people and their unalloyed dedication and allegiance to our cause, mission and vision.”
The company reaffirmed its position as Nigeria’s largest private sector employer, stating:
“Perhaps, we should mention, at this point, that the Dangote Group, with due modesty, is recognised as one of Nigeria’s model employers of labour and the largest private sector employer in the country as well as the largest contributor to Nigeria’s tax revenues.”
Dangote Refinery also praised the Nigerian judiciary for protecting the rule of law amid the dispute, describing it as “the bastion of hope for all.”
“It is unfortunate that the oligarchs publicly displayed their rascality and lawlessness by refusing to accept service of valid court orders that sought to restrain their destructive actions. Regardless, the judiciary came to society’s rescue at our critical moment of need,” it stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to national growth and energy stability, the refinery pledged to sustain uninterrupted production of petroleum products.
“Our commitment to the Nigerian nation and our pact with its people remain undiluted, undiminished and unalterable notwithstanding the distractions from our detractors and the saboteurs in our midst,” the statement concluded.
The Dangote Refinery, which is Africa’s largest, had been at the centre of a week-long dispute after PENGASSAN accused it of unfair labour practices — a development that briefly disrupted operations before the government’s intervention restored calm.
