Dangote Refinery Rehires Sacked Engineers, Redeploys Staff to Borno, Zamfara, and Other States Amid PENGASSAN Dispute
The Dangote Refinery has re-employed several engineers previously dismissed amid its dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The reinstated workers, many of whom were trainee engineers, have been redeployed to new project sites across the country, including Borno, Zamfara, Benue, Kebbi, and Niger States. The re-engagement letters, issued under Dangote Projects Limited, instructed the engineers to report within 14 days or risk losing their new appointments.
According to multiple sources within the company, the re-employed workers are being assigned to various Dangote Group operations, including coal mining in Benue, concrete road construction in Borno and Ebonyi, and rice production plants in northern Nigeria. However, several of the redeployed engineers expressed concerns over safety and logistics, citing the absence of clear reporting addresses and the insecurity prevalent in some of the designated locations. Union representatives have advised affected workers to hold off on accepting the redeployment until negotiations conclude.
The move comes a month after PENGASSAN shut down oil and gas facilities nationwide, protesting the alleged dismissal of about 800 refinery staff for union activities. The Dangote Group, however, maintained that only a few employees were sacked for misconduct, describing the action as a routine reorganisation. Following government mediation, the company agreed to reinstate the affected workers under different Dangote subsidiaries.
Speaking recently, Alhaji Aliko Dangote confirmed that the refinery is expanding its production capacity from 650,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day, with plans to employ 65,000 workers for the construction phase. The billionaire industrialist also voiced support for the proposed amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), saying it would create a more favourable environment for local refining and private investment in Nigeria’s energy sector.
While the redeployment decision has sparked mixed reactions among staff and industry observers, the development highlights ongoing tensions between labour unions and private investors in Nigeria’s oil and gas space. As the refinery expands and the PIA review progresses, stakeholders hope the crisis will give way to stronger industrial relations and a renewed focus on domestic energy security.
source: punch