Earlier, Daily Post reported that the refinery had dismissed all Nigerian workers less than 24 hours after 90% of them joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has denied reports of mass sackings, stating that recent workforce changes were part of a reorganisation aimed at addressing sabotage within the plant.
Earlier, Daily Post reported that the refinery had dismissed all Nigerian workers less than 24 hours after 90% of them joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The union’s president, Festus Osifo, confirmed the development, stating, “Yes, it is true. We saw the letter late last night (Wednesday). I can assure you that they will recall all of them.”
In response, Dangote Petroleum Refinery issued a statement clarifying that the recent changes were not mass sackings, but rather part of a reorganisation exercise.
Reacting to the report, a senior official told The PUNCH, “Yes, the letter is correct. But the interpretation is wrong.”
“The interpretation is that it affects some people because of certain things discovered in the refinery. It has nothing to do with unionism or anything like that,” the official further stated.
“It doesn’t mean they have been sacked.
The official said, “That is incorrect. What was done was to put a check in place. It is more like a clean-up in the system to check where those sabotage and leakages are coming from and then address them.
“As soon as the issues are addressed, they will be reabsorbed. That is why it is not a sack and that word wasn’t used.”
The company also emphasised that the reorganisation was carried out swiftly to prevent those allegedly involved in sabotage from concealing their actions.
“Some acts of sabotage have been noticed repeatedly and the company is only trying to safeguard its assets. Also, you cannot do things like this and give two weeks’ notice; otherwise, those in the act would cover up and complicate issues,” the official added.
According to the official, operations at the refinery continue, with both Nigerian and expatriate staff still at work.
“As we speak, people are still working at the refinery. The people affected know themselves, and those who did not get the letter are not affected. Anyone who doesn’t have a hand in sabotage has nothing to worry about,” the official concluded.
The refinery, which commenced production in 2024, has faced previous disputes with labour unions, including PENGASSAN, over allegations of high-handedness and inadequate safety standards.
It has also had disagreements with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria over product pricing and distribution arrangements.
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