Abuja, Nigeria: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has officially called off its nationwide strike following assurances from the management of Dangote Refinery.
Osifo stated this during a news conference at the end of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday to assess the government’s intervention in the prolonged industrial dispute.
The strike was initially triggered by the reported mass sack of more than 800 Nigerian workers by Dangote Petrochemicals and Fertiliser Limited after they voluntarily subscribed to join PENGASSAN.
Osifo described the dismissals as an attack on workers’ constitutional rights and a violation of Nigeria’s obligations under the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, which protect freedom of association.
“Let it be known clearly that if there is any slip or breach in implementing this agreement, we shall immediately resume our suspended nationwide industrial action,” Osifo warned.
He said NEC decided to suspend the strike out of respect for institutions, despite serious concerns over loopholes in the government-brokered agreement reached with Dangote management.
“Even with our doubts about Dangote’s sincerity, we have chosen the moral high ground. Nigerians must see PENGASSAN as patriotic, law-abiding and committed to sustaining national economic stability,” he stated.
Osifo stated that the union’s primary demand was for the full reinstatement of the affected workers; however, the government opted instead for redeployment within related companies owned by the Dangote Group.
“Our position was simple: bring them back to their original jobs. The Government proposed a middle ground instead, and that remains our greatest reservation with the settlement,” Osifo explained.
He added that the union accepted the compromise reluctantly, noting that the most important thing now was to get the affected workers back to earning and feeding their families.
However, Osifo made it clear that unfulfilled promises or prolonged delays would not mislead PENGASSAN.
“We will not wait endlessly if nothing happens.
“We suspended the action in good faith to respect the government. But the moment we detect any foul play or gimmicks, we will return to the trenches immediately,” he said.