In a fiery escalation of tensions, 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 placing personal interests and union dues above the welfare of workers. The accusations come in response to renewed threats of industrial action by the unions, which the refinery claims are driven by ulterior motives rather than genuine concern for employees. In a detailed statement released on Monday, the refinery lambasted the TUC’s “zombie-like” solidarity with PENGASSAN, alleging that both organizations are more focused on securing financial benefits than advocating for workers’ rights.
The refinery’s statement was a direct response to the TUC’s declaration of “full solidarity” with PENGASSAN, which had threatened a nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery’s management. The TUC’s stance, according to the refinery, was premature and lacked due diligence, as it failed to verify the claims made by PENGASSAN before endorsing industrial action. “We are told that he who hears only from one side and passes judgment without hearing the other side is a fool,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, the Trade Union Congress has placed itself in that position. Without hearing from Dangote Refinery, the Congress has passed a guilty verdict on the Refinery’s management and now parrots the PENGASSAN line, zombie-like, calling ‘for a national industrial action if Dangote management fails to comply with’ its demands.”
At the heart of Dangote Refinery’s grievances is the accusation that PENGASSAN and TUC are primarily motivated by the collection of check-off dues—mandatory contributions deducted from workers’ salaries to fund union activities. The refinery pointed to a recent interview on Channels Television, where PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo revealed that the union had written to Dangote Refinery, demanding the remittance of dues just one day after workers allegedly unionized. The refinery seized on this revelation to argue that the unions’ swift demand for dues exposed their true priorities. “If we must believe Mr. Osifo’s account – and Dangote Refinery is not thereby admitting the accuracy of his account – the PENGASSAN oligarchs could not even wait for 24 hours after the purported unionization before demanding for their monthly check-off dues,” the statement noted.
Dangote Refinery went further, painting PENGASSAN and TUC as “two peas in a pod” and accusing them of being controlled by self-serving “oligarchs” whose primary concern is preserving their financial interests. The company alleged that the unions’ leadership is more interested in maintaining a lavish lifestyle funded by workers’ contributions than in addressing the actual needs of their members. “Their interests do not extend beyond themselves and the oligarchs that run their affairs,” the statement declared. “The monthly check-off dues and other subscriptions and scams that feed their lifestyles are the primary concern and interests of these oligarchs.”
The refinery also raised concerns about the lack of transparency in how PENGASSAN, TUC, and allied unions, such as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), manage the funds collected from workers. It accused the unions of failing to provide accountability for these dues, instead using them to sustain “lavish and opulent lifestyles.” The statement called on Nigerians to “stand up against these enemies of progress” and urged the Federal Government to intervene to prevent what it described as attempts by union leaders to plunge the country into “the dark ages” of energy insecurity and industrial sabotage.
In a bold challenge, Dangote Refinery demanded that PENGASSAN, TUC, and NUPENG publish their audited financial records for the past decade to demonstrate how workers’ dues have been utilized. “Surely, the workers in whose name they all purport to be working, deserve to know what the Unions have been doing with their monthly check-off dues,” the statement asserted. This demand for transparency underscores the refinery’s broader argument that the unions’ actions are not in the best interest of workers but are instead driven by financial motives.
The refinery positioned itself as a “national asset” critical to Nigeria’s energy security and economic stability, calling for collective protection from what it described as the unions’ disruptive tactics. Quoting the TUC’s own words, the refinery stated, “TUC and its cohorts, ‘regardless of size or wealth’ must not ‘be allowed to trample on the dignity and rights of’ 230 million Nigerians.” This rhetorical jab highlights the refinery’s attempt to frame the unions as adversaries not only to its operations but to the broader Nigerian public.
The ongoing dispute between Dangote Refinery and the unions comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s energy sector. The refinery, a flagship project aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, has faced numerous challenges, including regulatory hurdles and logistical issues. The threat of industrial action by PENGASSAN and TUC could further complicate operations, potentially disrupting the supply of petroleum products and exacerbating energy challenges in the country.
Dangote Refinery’s strong rhetoric signals a deepening rift with the unions, setting the stage for a protracted conflict unless both sides can find common ground. The company’s accusations of financial impropriety and self-interest among union leaders are likely to intensify the debate over the role of trade unions in Nigeria’s industrial landscape. For now, the refinery’s call for transparency and accountability places pressure on PENGASSAN and TUC to justify their actions and demonstrate their commitment to workers’ welfare.
As the situation unfolds, the Nigerian public and government will be watching closely to see how this dispute impacts the operations of one of the country’s most significant industrial projects. The refinery’s appeal to national interest and its demand for union accountability may resonate with those who view the project as vital to Nigeria’s economic future. However, the unions’ response and their ability to counter these allegations will be crucial in determining the outcome of this high-stakes confrontation.
