The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN),has declared continuation of its strike over the recent sack of workers in the employ of Dangote Refinery.
The union conveyed this in a statement on Monday signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, wherein it denied receiving court orders barring it continuing with the industrial action.
The statement reads in part:”Our attention has been drawn to rumours making rounds on a court injunction restraining our noble exercise. I want to unequivocally state that we have not been served anything of such. Court orders or processes are served through court bailiff and not through social media.
“All Comrades are therefore directed to continue with the industrial action until further instruction. Only information coming through our official channels should be regarded as authentic.
“Any further clarification you need should be sought from higher organs of the Association.”
The union commended its members for the courage they exhibited on Monday in conducting the national strike.
An earlier statement from Dangote Refinery had quoted the National Industrial Court in Abuja to have issued an interim order stopping the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from continuing with its nationwide industrial action against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Justice Emmanuel Sublim, granted the order on Monday saying the strike meant to disrupt the operations of the Refinery by cutting crude and gas supplies to it, was capable of causing serious damage to the nation’s economy and therefore the Association should stop forthwith.
The decision of the court was consequent upon an ex-parte application filed by the Refinery’s counsel, Mr. George Ibrahim, SAN.
Besides, the court restrained key regulatory bodies, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from enforcing any directive by PENGASSAN to halt crude oil and gas supply to the refinery.
In his ruling, Justice Sublim said the court agreed with the Refinery’s submission that the strike could cause irreparable damage if not promptly addressed.
He emphasized the need to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive motion.
The court further directed that the restraining order and suit be served on all defendants without delay.
Earlier in the day,the strike took heavy toll on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The gates to the NNPC headquarters in Abuja were shut against the workers as early as 8.00 am on Monday
PENGASSAN in NUPRIC, confirmed the shutdown of the company in compliance with directive form his national headquarters.
Besides, activities at the NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja wee also paralysed as workers were barred from entering the premised by security operatives.
Muhammad Dangyadi, the Minister of Labour and Employment, on Sunday warned against the adverse consequences of the strike in view of the importance of petroleum sector to the economy in his statement.
According to him, the federal government was aware of the consequences of such strike as it would not only lead to heavy revenue losses by the country, but also cause more hardship and difficulties for Nigerians.
