Dangote refinery warns PENGASSAN action may trigger nationwide fuel crisis
By Jeffrey Agbo
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has warned that the directive issued by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to halt crude oil and gas supplies to its facility could spark another round of fuel scarcity, drive up prices, and cut government revenue.
In a statement released on Saturday, the refinery listed the products that would be affected if the directive is enforced.
“The products that would be disrupted and stopped include but are not limited to aviation fuel, petrol, kerosene, diesel and cooking gas – all products that are used and required by all stripes of Nigerians and persons living in Nigeria, whether high and mighty or lowly and ordinary,” it said.
The company warned that such a disruption would hit households and businesses nationwide. “In what circumstance would it be justified for PENGASSAN to so disrupt and introduce hardship into the living conditions of Nigerians? None that we can see,” it added.
Dangote refinery further stressed that government finances would be at risk. “Dangote Refinery is one of the largest contributors to the revenue purse of the Nigerian governments – both Federal and sub-nationals. That contribution is currently threatened by PENGASSAN and would of course be paused if and as soon as and for as long as the PENGASSAN directive is implemented by its branches,” the statement noted.
Challenging the legality of the move, the refinery said: “Absolutely no law gives PENGASSAN the right to direct its branches to ‘cut off’ gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery at all. Besides, it constitutes misconduct for PENGASSAN or its members to disrupt or interfere in the contract between Dangote Refinery and its various vendors for the supply of gas and crude oil.”
It described itself as a strategic national asset that should be safeguarded. “Dangote Refinery is the only refinery of its type in Africa and ordinarily should be the pride of all Nigerians as well as the governments of Nigeria. It should ordinarily have special protection and status.”
Calling for urgent intervention, the company said: “We call on the Federal Government and security agencies to act swiftly. Nigerians should take note of the hardship which PENGASSAN wishes to inflict on all of us if not checked. Fuel queues, energy shortages and price hikes could quickly resurface.”
Concluding, it urged dialogue over confrontation. “We urge PENGASSAN to submit to amicable and legal resolution and not resort to actions that could introduce mayhem, disrupt the economy, and discourage investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”
