Fuel price increases as Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN feud continues

As the feud between Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery continues, Nigerians have to pay extra money to get premium motor spirit, popularly known as petrol.

The closed-door meeting on Monday between the Federal Government, Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN ended in a deadlock.

The President of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, confirmed this to DAILY POST in the earlier hours of Tuesday.

On Monday, fuel price hike was been implemented across Abuja. Ranoil, Empire filling stations in Gwarimpa, and Ranoil on the Kubwa Expressway have all adjusted fuel pump prices to N910, N920, and N910 per litre, up from N890, N910, and N890 per litre.

PENGASSAN secretary, Lumumba Ighotemu, in an official directive to all members on Monday night, said its nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery for mass sack of its members, which began on Monday, continues.

“All comrades are therefore directed to continue with the industrial action until further instruction. Only information coming through our official channels should be regarded as authentic.

“Any further clarification you need should be sought from higher organs of the Association,” PENGASSAN stated.

Although, the Dangote Refinery has not stated explicitly the number of workers it sacked, the plant, has neither denied the action.

Pained by the Dangote refinery’s reluctance to accept PENGASSAN demands, the Nigerian Union of Labour Congress on Monday joined PENGASSAN in the nationwide strike, like the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria did on Sunday.

Meanwhile, details of intervention by the Federal government through the Ministry of Labour and other stakeholders are yet to be released as at time of filing this report.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, during the meeting, said the feud between the parties has to be resolved for the good of Nigerians, the union and the employers.