The Federal Government has stepped in to forestall the nationwide strike threatened by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over its dispute with the Dangote Refinery.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, in a statement on Sunday, urged the union to shelve its planned strike scheduled to commence on Monday. He noted that the Ministry had already initiated moves to bring both parties to the table for urgent dialogue.
According to a statement signed by the Ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Patience Onuobia, invitations have been extended to PENGASSAN’s leadership and the management of Dangote Refinery for an emergency conciliation meeting at the Minister’s office on Monday.
“The Ministry of Labour and Employment, through the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, has invited both parties to attend a conciliation meeting in my office on Monday,” Dingyadi said.
The Minister appealed for restraint, warning that a nationwide strike in the petroleum sector could result in huge revenue losses, worsen the country’s economic situation, and inflict hardship on Nigerians.
“A strike will not only lead to heavy revenue losses for the nation but will also create greater difficulties for citizens. Its ripple effects on economic stability and national security will be severe. I urge both parties to approach the meeting in good faith,” he stressed.
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