President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has criticised the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over its recent strike against the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, warning that no group should hold the whole nation to ransom over issues that could be resolved through dialogue.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu urged labour unions to show patriotism and restraint, describing the $20 billion refinery as a national asset that must be protected.
He stressed that any disruption to its operations amounts to economic sabotage, noting that Dangote’s investment in Nigeria was a major act of faith in the nation’s future.
Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, said the strike caused daily losses of about 200,000 barrels of oil and disrupted gas output, attributing the recent spike in cooking gas prices to temporary supply chain interruptions.
He disclosed that production had risen to 1.68 million barrels per day in September and was expected to hit 1.8 million by year’s end.
Meanwhile, protesters under the Partners for National Economic Progress movement in Kaduna called on the President to deal decisively with saboteurs undermining local refining, while economic expert Muda Yusuf urged the government to adopt policies that protect key investments and prevent future industrial disruptions.