The National Industrial Court in Abuja has granted an interim injunction restraining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and other defendants, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), from cutting crude and gas supply to the Dangote Refinery.
Key Details:
– Court Ruling: Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim delivered the ruling on an ex-parte application filed by Dangote Refinery, arguing that the planned industrial action by PENGASSAN would irreparably damage its business and cripple the provision of essential services to the Nigerian public.
– PENGASSAN’s Planned Action: The union had directed its members to disrupt activities at the refinery by blocking gas supply, following the refinery’s decision to sack over 800 workers who joined PENGASSAN.
– Dangote Refinery’s Position: The refinery claims the sackings were part of a reorganization aimed at curbing sabotage and ensuring safety, affecting only a negligible number of staff out of over 3,000 Nigerian workers.
– Restraining Order: The court order, effective for seven days, aims to preserve industrial peace and ensure the continuous provision of essential services pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
– Next Steps: The case has been adjourned to October 13 for hearing.
