Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, says Nigeria will face global embarrassment if disputes disrupt operations at the Dangote refinery.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Sule described the facility as a “national asset” and urged dialogue between the management of the refinery, unions and the government.
The governor also said the refinery has spared Nigeria the burden of heavy import bills and eased challenges associated with petroleum supply and maintenance.
“What has happened is that there is a gap in communication; PENGASSAN, as of today, needs to sit down with Dangote clearly,” he said.
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“We can’t afford a situation in which an institution such as this is run down; in fact, the world will laugh at us.
“The Dangote refinery in Nigeria is not for Dangote alone. It is for Nigeria. It has spared Nigeria many issues and problems. Nigeria may no longer worry about fertiliser and petrochemicals.
“I will actually appeal to PENGASSAN, the Dangote management and the federal government to ensure this is resolved.
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“Dangote refinery is here to stay and is already exporting petroleum products abroad; we can’t afford challenges with that institution.”
On the allegations of mass dismissal, the governor defended the company’s position, adding that the disruption of gas supply would cripple the refinery operations.
“Dangote did not just wake up to sack all alleged workers; he needs people to run his refinery. He has thousands of workers,” Sule said.
“Terrible. We experienced that before at the sugar refinery we run; if the liquor does not move, pipes rust and get stuck, and sometimes you have to cut pipes down. It is not in Dangote’s interest to cause any commotion.”
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BACKGROUND
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 was affected,” and described the move as a reorganisation exercise.
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.
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PENGASSAN also instructed its members to embark on a nationwide strike over the dismissal of the workers.
The national industrial court in Abuja had later issued an interim order stopping the PENGASSAN from proceeding with its nationwide industrial action against the refinery.
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