Abuja, July 19, 2024 – NUPENG and PENGASSAN, the two main trade unions in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, have called on the federal government to investigate the International Oil Companies (OIC) over recent allegation of saboge reported by Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.
The two associations made the call in a letter to President Bola Tinubu dated July 1 and signed by NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, and PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa.
.
The letter reads in parts: “The leadership and members of our great Union and Association profoundly appreciate your commitment and dedication to restoring the economic growth and prosperity of our dear Nation, and we are also fully mobilised and committed to supporting your laudable thoughts and hard decisions towards these lofty goals.
“Unfortunately, we are deeply concerned and shocked by the recent unusual allegations by the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company of a deliberate plot by some International Oil Companies (IOCs) to frustrate their business efforts and continued existence.”
The unions alleged sabotage by the IOCs by denying the refinery crude oil supply and inflating market prices, forcing the Dangote Refinery to source crude oil from as far away as the United States, thereby incurring high operating costs and logistics.
“The Dangote Refinery is not only a critical national asset., but also a beacon of hope for our energy security, economic growth, and employment opportunities.
“The economic benefits of a local refinery with such capacity as Dangote’s in Nigeria can never be overstated.”
