Dangote Refinery Accuses PENGASSAN, TUC of Prioritising Dues Over Workers’ Welfare

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has accused the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of placing the pursuit of union dues above the welfare of workers, following renewed threats of industrial action by the unions.

In a statement issued on Monday, the refinery criticised the TUC for declaring “full solidarity” with PENGASSAN and threatening nationwide strike action without verifying the allegations against its management.

The company stated:

“He who hears only from one side and passes judgment without hearing the other is a fool. Unfortunately, the Trade Union Congress has placed itself in that position. Without engaging with Dangote Refinery, the Congress has passed a guilty verdict on our management and is now echoing the PENGASSAN line, zombie-like, by calling for a national strike if its demands are not met.”

Dangote Refinery further alleged that both unions are more focused on securing check-off dues than protecting workers. The company cited remarks by PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, during a Channels Television interview, where he confirmed that the union wrote to Dangote Refinery demanding the remittance of dues the day after workers reportedly unionised.

According to the refinery, this showed that the unions’ primary concern is financial:

“PENGASSAN and TUC are two peas in the same pod, driven largely by the oligarchs who control their affairs. Monthly check-off dues and other levies that sustain their lifestyles remain their main priority. One of their leaders admitted as much on national television.”

The statement also criticised the unions for failing to account for funds collected from workers, alleging that such monies fuel “lavish and extravagant lifestyles” of their leaders.

“Neither PENGASSAN, TUC, NUPENG nor their allies provide transparent records of how workers’ dues are utilised. Nigerians only see evidence of these collections reflected in their opulent lifestyles. It is time for the public to stand against such practices that hinder national progress.”

Dangote Refinery urged the Federal Government to resist what it described as attempts by union leaders to plunge the country into energy insecurity through industrial sabotage.

The company declared:

“Dangote Refinery is a national asset that deserves collective protection and prayers. To borrow from the TUC’s own words, no union regardless of size or wealth should be allowed to trample on the rights and dignity of 230 million Nigerians.”

Finally, the refinery challenged the unions to publish their financial records for accountability:

“We demand that TUC, PENGASSAN and NUPENG publish their audited accounts for the last 10 years. Workers, in whose name they claim to act, deserve to know how their dues have been managed.”