MAN Chief Condemns Dangote Refinery Strike Threat, Calls for Government Intervention
The Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi, has condemned the escalating labour dispute between petroleum marketers, labour unions, and Dangote Refinery. He described the unions' actions as 'unconscionable' and a threat to investor confidence. The standoff has reached a critical point, with threats of a nationwide strike looming.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) ordered a nationwide strike in response to the dismissal of some Nigerian workers by Dangote Refinery. Ajayi stressed that such actions would deter investors from building factories in Nigeria, as they fear their investments could be decimated by industrial disputes. He urged the government to intervene and enforce court orders, also calling for restraint from labour leaders.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, stepped in to mediate the dispute. He facilitated conciliation meetings in Abuja, seeking resolution on issues such as the reinstatement of over 800 dismissed workers and unionization rights. Although initial talks ended in deadlock, Dingyadi's mediation eventually led to a settlement. Dismissed workers were reassigned within the Dangote Group without loss of pay, leading to the calling off of the PENGASSAN strike.
Ajayi acknowledged Dangote's refinery as a significant disruption in the sector but insisted that negotiations, not threats, should be the path to resolution. The Federal Government appealed to PENGASSAN to suspend its planned nationwide strike. Ajayi likened the unions' actions to 'vultures gathering to devour what should be a jewel of Nigerian manufacturing', emphasizing the need for all parties to work together for the growth of the sector.
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