The national industrial court in Abuja has issued an interim order stopping the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from proceeding with its nationwide industrial action against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Emmanuel Sublim, presiding judge, granted the order on Monday.
The judge granted the order on the premise that the strike, intended to disrupt the operations of the refinery by cutting crude and gas supplies, could cause serious damage to the nation’s economy, therefore directed the association to stop immediately.
The decision of the court followed an ex-parte application filed by George Ibrahim, the refinery’s counsel.
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In the same vein, the court restrained the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from enforcing any directive by PENGASSAN to halt crude oil and gas supply to the refinery.
In his ruling, Sublim held that the court agreed with the refinery’s submission that the strike could cause irreparable damage if not promptly addressed.
He emphasised the need to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive motion.
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The court further ordered that the restraining order and originating processes be served on all defendants without delay.
The matter was then adjourned to October 13 for hearing of the motion on notice.
On September 26, PENGASSAN said the refinery laid off over 800 workers, noting that the group was working to “resolve” the issue.
The Dangote refinery later confirmed sacking some workers, saying that “only a small number were affected,” describing the move as a reorganisation exercise.
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On September 27, Dangote refinery accused PENGASSAN of attempting to sabotage the country’s energy supply chain following a directive issued by the union to cut off crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery.
PENGASSAN also instructed its members to embark on a nationwide strike over the dismissal of the workers.
