A reconciliation meeting convened between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery ended without agreement, as both sides failed to resolve their dispute.
The dialogue, called by the Federal Government, began around 4:00 p.m. on Monday and stretched into the early hours of Tuesday, running for about nine hours.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, among others.
Due to a stalemate, Minister Dingyadi announced that the meeting would reconvene at 2:00 p.m. later on Tuesday to continue efforts at resolution.
The dispute centers on claims by PENGASSAN that Dangote Refinery has carried out mass transfers and dismissals of union members, and replaced Nigerian workers with foreign nationals.
The company, however, has denied these allegations.
During the talks, Minister Dingyadi emphasized the high stakes of the conflict, noting the potential negative consequences for Nigeria’s economy and energy security if the disagreement escalated.
He appealed to both sides to act in good faith, stressing that industrial stability in the oil and gas sector is vital, especially as the Dangote Refinery is expected to strengthen local refining capacity.
With the impasse unresolved, tension remains high. PENGASSAN insists its members will not return to work unless the alleged anti-labour actions are reversed.
Meanwhile, Dangote insists its restructuring is consistent with best global practices.
Observers worry the deadlock could disrupt operations at the refinery and lead to broader effects on petroleum supply across the nation.
The outcome of the next meeting will be crucial in determining whether the parties can avoid a full-blown industrial crisis in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
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