
The management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has strongly criticised the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over its directive to halt crude and gas supply to the refinery.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the refinery described the planned action as a “brazen, shocking display of lawlessness and criminality”.
According to the company, PENGASSAN has no legal authority to interfere with or disrupt contracts between Dangote Refinery and its vendors for the supply of crude and gas.
“Those supply contracts were not entered into with PENGASSAN. They were signed with third-party vendors and suppliers. PENGASSAN has no right whatsoever to interfere with their performance,” the statement read.
The refinery warned that the union’s directive could amount to economic sabotage, stressing that its operations contribute significantly to the revenue of both federal and state governments.
It further accused the union of abandoning lawful processes, despite its earlier claim that it would seek legal redress, and instead resorting to directives that could cause “mayhem and anarchy.”
Dangote Refinery also cautioned that if PENGASSAN enforces its order, the supply of essential petroleum products would be disrupted, affecting millions of Nigerians.
The company called on the Federal Government and security agencies to step in and prevent what it described as “lawless and reckless conduct” by the union.