The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in the ongoing dispute over unionisation rights at the Dangote Refinery.

NUPENG had on Sunday announced plans to halt fuel loading nationwide beginning Monday, citing allegations that the refinery intends to prevent newly recruited drivers for its 4,000 trucks from joining the union.

In a statement issued on Monday, PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, declared the association’s “unwavering solidarity” with NUPENG, stressing that the right of workers to unionise must not be undermined.

The senior staff union warned that if the impasse lingers, it could be compelled to take drastic measures, including shutting down operations at the refinery. “Should the situation persist without resolution, PENGASSAN will be left with no option but to join in shutting down the refinery operations as a last resort to protect our members’ rights and interests,” the statement read.

PENGASSAN accused the refinery management of resisting union membership drives since inception despite multiple interventions. It noted that workers had been repeatedly denied access to both senior and junior staff associations, describing the stance as unacceptable.

The association insisted that NUPENG’s demand for full unionisation across the refinery and its affiliates aligns with Nigeria’s labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. It stressed that freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental rights that safeguard workers’ dignity, safety, and welfare.

While reiterating its support for NUPENG, PENGASSAN urged stakeholders to engage in urgent dialogue to avert disruptions in the oil and gas sector. “Failure to respect workers’ rights will have consequences beyond Dangote Refinery, affecting the entire industry,” it cautioned.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has summoned all parties to a reconciliation meeting in Abuja as government moves to defuse the crisis.

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says that the Federal Government’s intervention in the dispute between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Refinery is beginning to produce constructive outcomes.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry confirmed that progress had been made through government engagements with key stakeholders and regulators in the downstream sector. These consultations are aimed at averting the planned industrial action centred on Dangote’s downstream operations.

Gillis-Harry highlighted concerns that Dangote Refinery’s push into refining, storage, logistics, and retail could marginalise existing players, including independent marketers and depot owners. PETROAN has therefore called for a stakeholder roundtable to define roles and ensure inclusive industry participation.

He emphasized the importance of union representation across all retail outlets to maintain pricing discipline and prevent exploitation. Without such measures, he warned that consumers could face variable pricing, with disparities of up to 150% between outlets.

In response to the ongoing tension, PETROAN announced a potential three-day suspension of fuel lifting and dispensing starting Tuesday, September 9, if no agreement is reached. The measure was intended as leverage to prompt dialogue rather than disrupt supply.

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT) commenced a seven-day warning strike on Monday to demand urgent reforms in the territory’s health sector.

In a communiqué signed by President George Ebong and other executive members, the doctors described the FCT health system as fraught with chronic systemic failures, calling for immediate and comprehensive reform.

Ebong highlighted the dire working conditions: severe manpower shortages, malfunctioning equipment, unpaid allowances, unpaid salaries, and delayed promotions. Many doctors are reportedly overburdened, covering multiple departments simultaneously, a scenario he warned could precipitate a systemic collapse.

The ARD-FCT has issued a one-week ultimatum to the FCT administration to begin implementing meaningful improvements—particularly in staffing and welfare—or face escalation to an indefinite strike.

Responding on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Minister of State for Health Isaq Salako expressed optimism that ongoing government dialogue with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) could avert further disruption. He acknowledged that about 40% of the 2025 residency allowances remain unpaid, and assured that discussions are underway to resolve these outstanding issues.