The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members to halt gas supply and shut down all crude oil supply valves to Dangote Petroleum Refinery immediately.

A letter signed by the General Secretary of the union, Lumumba Okugbawa, accused the refinery’s management of terminating the employment of 800 workers who are members of the association.

While PENGASSAN alleged earlier that over 2,000 Indian nationals were recruited by the company to take over the jobs of those sacked by Dangote on Thursday, the refinery in a statement on Friday, denied the claim.

The company said it was effecting a reorganisation of its workforce to safeguard the refinery from repeated acts of sabotage. Noting that over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively in the refinery, the company reinstates commitment to uphold internationally accepted labour principles, including the right of every worker to freely decide whether or not to join a union.

However, insisting the workers were sacked for joining the union, PENGASSAN directed all its members, especially those in the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) branch, to immediately halt gas supply to the multibillion-dollar refinery. It also directed an immediate shut down of all crude oil supply valves to the Refinery as well as the suspension of loading operations for vessels destined for the facility.

The letter reads: “We bring you fraternal greetings from the National Secretariat. As you are aware, the Management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members in reaction to the exercise of their constitutional right to being unionised.

“They have gone further on a mission of misinformation and propaganda to justify this illegitimacy rather than engaging meaningfully with us to right the wrong.

“Consequent to these, you hereby directed to cut off gas supply to NGIC effective immediately. All crude oil supply valves to the Refinery should be shut. The loading operation for vessel headed there should be halted immediately.

“NGIC Chairman, ensure that gas supply to the Refinery is cut off effective immediately.

“All chairmen on this summon are to report promptly the progress of the directive.

“Kindly accept the assurances of our highest esteem regards. Thank you.

“Injury to one, Injury to all.”(The Will)