By Our Reporter
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its nationwide strike after the Federal Government brokered an agreement between the union and the Dangote Group.
PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, announced the suspension after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC). He said the decision was taken to allow time for the implementation of commitments reached during negotiations, while also acknowledging the Federal Government’s intervention in the dispute.
According to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, the Dangote Group has agreed to unionisation and will reabsorb affected refinery workers into other companies within the group without any loss of pay. He assured that no employee would be victimised for participating in the industrial action.
The government’s mediation team included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Finance Minister, Wale Edun; Budget and Economic Planning Minister, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; DSS Director-General, Adeola Ajayi; and NIA Director-General, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
PENGASSAN described the resolution as a major step toward restoring industrial harmony in the oil and gas sector but warned that the strike could resume without notice if the agreement is not honoured.