WorldStage– The Federal Government has announced that the dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Group has been resolved, bringing an end to the nationwide strike threat in the oil and gas sector.
In a statement issued early Wednesday by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, it was confirmed that both parties reached a compromise after extended deliberations.
Under the resolutions workers’ right to unionisation, as guaranteed by Nigerian law, will be respected and the Dangote Group will begin the process of redeploying the more than 800 affected employees to other subsidiaries within the conglomerate, without loss of pay.
It’s also resolved that no worker will face victimisation as a result of the disputeband that PENGASSAN will commence the process of suspending its strike action.
Dr. Dingyadi described the outcome as a product of “lengthy but constructive dialogue,” noting that both parties committed to the agreement in good faith.
The government delegation at the meeting included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
Observers say the resolution will help maintain industrial harmony and prevents disruptions in the nation’s vital petroleum sector.
