Dangote Petroleum Refinery has accused the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of prioritising union dues and personal interests over workers’ welfare, following renewed calls by the unions for industrial action.
In a statement on Monday, the refinery criticised TUC for declaring solidarity with PENGASSAN and threatening a nationwide strike without first engaging with its management. It said the unions were driven by the desire to secure check-off dues, citing remarks by PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo, who confirmed the union demanded dues from Dangote Refinery a day after workers allegedly unionised.
The refinery dismissed the unions as self-serving, alleging they are controlled by “oligarchs” more concerned with financial gains than protecting workers. It also accused PENGASSAN, TUC, and allied unions of failing to account for funds collected from members, while funding “lavish lifestyles.”
Describing the refinery as a national asset, the company urged the Federal Government to resist what it called attempts by union leaders to plunge the country into energy insecurity. It also challenged the unions to publish their 10-year audited accounts in the interest of transparency.
Source: https://gazettengr.com/
