Nigeria’s largest oil workers’ union, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has issued a dramatic directive to its members: stop supplying gas to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery immediately and shut down all crude oil supply valves to the multi-billion-dollar plant.
The order, handed down late Friday, threatens to cripple operations at the refinery, which has been touted as a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy sector.
While the exact cause of the dispute remains under wraps, insiders suggest the action is tied to a festering disagreement between PENGASSAN and stakeholders over unresolved labour and operational issues.
The move has sparked fears of fresh fuel supply disruptions, with analysts warning that any prolonged shutdown could send shockwaves through the nation’s fragile energy market.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, inaugurated with high expectations, was seen as a solution to Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products. With this latest twist, its future stability may hang in the balance.