A coalition of civil society organisations has cautioned the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, against pushing ahead with its planned strike against the Dangote Refinery, warning that such action could undermine Nigeria’s fragile economic recovery and put critical infrastructure at risk.
The Coalition for the Defence of Economic Rights in a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Monday, urged the union to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation.
The statement signed by its President, Comrade Babajide Oresanya partly reads; “Labour disputes must not be allowed to derail economic growth or endanger vital installations. The refinery is not just a private venture, it is a strategic national asset with far-reaching implications for energy security, jobs, and the broader economy. To hold it hostage for union politics is unacceptable,” Oresanya said.
DAILYPOST reports that the warning came hours after the National Industrial Court in Abuja granted an interim order stopping PENGASSAN from embarking on the industrial action.
Justice Emmanuel Sublim ruled that the strike could cause irreparable harm to the economy and directed parties to maintain the status quo pending hearing of the substantive matter on October 13.
The Coalition described the ruling as a necessary safeguard for stability and urged all stakeholders, including the federal government and regulators, to ensure strict compliance with the court order.
“The court has spoken. Any attempt to flout its directive would amount to contempt and risk escalating the situation. Nigerians are watching, and what the country needs at this moment is stability, not disruption,” Oresanya added.
The group further advised PENGASSAN to back its claims with verifiable evidence instead of making unsubstantiated allegations.
It also commended the federal government for stepping in swiftly through consultations with PENGASSAN, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
CODER concluded by calling for calm and reaffirming faith in the judicial process, stressing that constructive engagement remains the only path forward.
Embrace dialogue, don’t endanger economy with strike threat – Civil Society to PENGASSAN