Dangote Petroleum Refinery has launched a scathing attack on the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), accusing them of prioritizing personal financial gains over workers’ welfare amid looming threats of a nationwide strike.
In a statement released Monday by Abiodun Allade, the refinery’s Internal Communication Specialist, the company labeled TUC’s swift declaration of “full solidarity” with PENGASSAN as “zombie-like,” criticizing the union for endorsing strike action without investigating allegations against Dangote.
“He who judges after hearing only one side is a fool. Regrettably, TUC has placed itself in that position,” the statement read.
The refinery alleged that PENGASSAN and TUC are driven by a rush to collect monthly check-off dues from workers. Referencing a recent television interview with PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo, Dangote claimed the union demanded dues just 24 hours after purportedly unionizing workers.
“The PENGASSAN oligarchs could not wait a day before chasing their dues,” the statement charged, casting doubt on the unions’ motives.
Dangote further accused PENGASSAN, TUC, and allied groups like the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of failing to account for funds collected from workers.
“These unions offer no transparency on the dues they amass, yet their lavish lifestyles speak volumes,” the statement alleged, pointing to what it described as opulent spending by union leaders.
The refinery called on the federal government to intervene and prevent actions that could disrupt Nigeria’s energy sector, urging TUC, PENGASSAN, and NUPENG to publish audited financial records for the past decade.
“Workers deserve to know what’s done with their hard-earned dues,” Allade emphasized.Describing itself as a “national asset,” Dangote warned that union-led disruptions could cripple energy supply and national development, plunging Nigeria “into utter darkness and anarchy.”
The company urged stakeholders to safeguard the refinery’s operations over what it called the self-serving interests of union leaders.
The escalating dispute follows deadlocked talks between Dangote and PENGASSAN, with negotiations set to resume at 2 p.m. today.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has begun mobilizing for potential strike action, raising fears of impacts on power generation and gas exports, which could further strain Nigeria’s economy.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com