The House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum Resources has condemned the directive by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to some of their branches to cut off gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery.
The lawmakers warned that such an order could lead to economic damage, potentially dissuading investors from showing interest in the country.
The chairman of the Committee, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, while speaking during a press conference in Lagos, asserted that PENGASSAN’s action was taken without notice and without exhausting the procedures specified in the relevant trade union Acts.
“This decision will scare away foreign investors who will be worried that due process does not count in addressing grievances in the sector, hence the need for the union to return to the table for a direct talks to be presided over by the downstream committee with regulators, labour ministry, Dangote Refinery in attendance to find a working sustainable solution to the challenges,” Ugochinyere stated
He further called on PENGASSAN to end the ongoing action and restore supply to Dangote, allowing lawmakers to intervene in the matter in the nation’s interest.
While this committee acknowledged the concerns of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), however it does not approve of the action embarked upon by the Union with their decision to order for stoppage of gas supply to Dangote Refinery without notice. This action is hasty and have multiplier effects on the energy needs of Nigerians plus likely damage to a delicate private sector investment and destabilisation of the search for sustainable peace been championed by the Committee, hence the need for immediate call off of the shutdown directive,” he declared.
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