The joint unions of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural and Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) have demanded an investigation into the alleged sabotage by International Oil Companies (IOCs) to undermine and destabilise the operations of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.
The two associations made the call in Lagos via a letter dated and addressed to President Bola Tinubu and made available to LEADERSHIP.
This is even as the unions charged the federal government to take decisive action to safeguard Dangote Refinery and ensure its successful operation for the benefit of the country. They also noted that ‘protecting our National assets is our collective responsibility.’
NUPENG’s general secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, and his PENGASSAN counterpart, Comrade Lumumba Okungbowa, who jointly signed the letter, which was made available to this medium, insisted among others that the findings of such investigation must be made public to ensure transparency and maintain public trust.
Noting that Dangote refinery is not only a critical National asset but also a beacon of hope for energy security, economic growth, and employment opportunities, the unions said the matter should not just be allowed to end without thorough investigation.
The letter, written through the office of Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, read: “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 all 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.”
Moreover, the unions said: “These sabotaging actions reportedly include denying the Refinery crude oil supply and artificially inflating market prices of the crude oil to the Company, thereby forcing Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company to source crude oil from other countries, even as far as the United States of America with attendant 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.”
Furthermore, NUPENG/PENGASSAN stressed that “The economic benefits of a Local Refinery with such capacity as the Dangote’s to Nigeria, can never be overstated.
“This is why for several decades now, NUPENG/PENGASSAN have campaigned vigorously that Nigeria should make it a prerequisite condition that Companies that want to benefit from JVC arrangements with Nigeria, to set up a Refinery/Petrochemical Company in Nigeria. Unfortunately, no successive Governments summoned enough political and patriotic courage to take that logical and pragmatic policy direction.”
In the same vein, both unions stressed that, the survival of companies that have braved it up and invested hugely in refining crude in Nigeria, thus, saving nation from wasteful product importations that profit other countries and cost forex, should be of great interest to us as a nation because of the enormous economic benefits involved.
“Our demands are as follows: Immediate Investigation: The federal government should set up an independent panel to investigate the claims of sabotage by some International Oil Companies. This investigation should be comprehensive and transparent, ensuring that all parties involved are held accountable.
“Public Disclosure: The findings of this investigation must be made public to ensure transparency and maintain public trust. Nigerians deserve to know the truth about the actions of these International Oil Companies and the impact on our National interests,” they demanded.
