Shittu Oluwadamilola – Lagos
The Dangote Refinery has continued to receive gas supply uninterrupted, despite recent industrial actions by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), reflecting the resilience and importance of the facility in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
In a recent development, PENGASSAN announced the dissolution of its branch executive councils at the Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company Ltd (NGIC) and NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML). The decision stemmed from the executives’ reported inability to fully halt gas supply to the refinery during the union’s nationwide strike, which began on September 28.
Rather than viewing this as a failure, industry observers note that maintaining gas supply to Dangote Refinery — Africa’s largest — was critical to ensuring ongoing industrial stability and avoiding economic disruption.
In an internal report seen by TheCable, congress members from NGIC and NGML expressed disappointment at the dissolution and called on the national leadership of PENGASSAN to reconsider its decision. They firmly denied allegations of collusion or improper conduct, emphasizing the need for due process and fair hearing.
“There must be caution in making unfounded allegations that could damage reputations,” the congress members stated, calling for a more constructive approach. “The focus should be on learning from this episode and strategizing for future actions.”
The Dangote Refinery, a multi-billion-dollar facility expected to transform Nigeria’s energy sector, continues to stand as a symbol of progress, and its uninterrupted operations during the strike highlight its strategic significance and the commitment of key players to national development.
