The nationwide strike embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria on Monday has crippled operations across key oil and gas regulatory institutions, fuelling fresh concerns over energy supply disruptions.
The action, which followed a directive of the union’s National Executive Council, forced a total shutdown of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
When our correspondent visited the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was securely padlocked, leaving scores of employees stranded. Security operatives at the gate confirmed that the closure was in compliance with the union’s directive.
Similarly, at the NMDPRA office in the Central Business District, activities were completely paralysed. Confirming the situation, the PENGASSAN Chairman in NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, said the industrial action had recorded “100 per cent compliance,” not only at the authority but also across other critical agencies.
The union insisted that the strike was provoked by the alleged wrongful dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. PENGASSAN accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and ILO conventions by sacking employees for union membership and replacing them with foreigners.
In a strongly worded resolution signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union directed all members nationwide to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Refinery. The directive, which came into effect on Sunday, also ordered international oil companies to ramp down production and suspend supply channels linked to the refinery.
“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution stated.
The development has already triggered jitters within the downstream sector, with oil marketers warning of potential fuel shortages and a surge in pump prices. Energy analysts say the strike could also affect gas supply to power plants, thereby worsening the nation’s electricity crisis.
The Labour Minister has convened an emergency meeting to broker peace, but industry stakeholders warn that unless both sides shift ground, the industrial dispute could plunge the country into a deeper energy crisis.
