House of Representatives criticises PENGASSAN for halting oil and gas supply to Dangote Refinery, warning strike threatens Nigeria’s energy security

House of Representatives has criticised PENGASSAN for cutting crude oil and gas supply to Dangote Refinery as part of its ongoing strike. Lawmakers said the union’s action was hasty and failed to follow proper labour procedures.

Also read: Dangote Refinery Faces Labour Crisis as Union Halts Supply

Committee chairman on Downstream Petroleum Resources, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, cautioned that such decisions could discourage investors and damage Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

“This kind of decision will scare away foreign investors because it shows that due process is not followed,” he said.

Ugochinyere urged PENGASSAN to return to the negotiating table with legislators, regulators, the labour ministry, and Dangote Refinery to find a lasting solution.

He asked the union to suspend its directive immediately, stressing that the shutdown threatens energy security.

He announced that a special “downstream stability roundtable” will be convened with NUPENG, PENGASSAN, regulators, and lawmakers to address the crisis.

In addition, a sub-committee led by Hon. Akin Rotimi with Hon. Midala Usman, Hon. Billy Osawaru, and Hon. Mathew Nwaogu has been set up to review issues around workers’ rights to unionise, claims of retrenchment, and the powers of private companies to manage staff. The team has two weeks to submit its report.

While acknowledging the validity of workers’ concerns, Ugochinyere stressed that industrial actions endangering energy supply and private investment cannot be supported.

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“This shutdown is hasty and will hurt Nigeria’s energy supply and private investment. We call on PENGASSAN to suspend it immediately,” he said.