The House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum Resources has criticised the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for ordering some of its branches to halt gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery as part of its ongoing industrial action.

The committee said the union’s directive was taken “without notice and exhaustion of the laid down procedures specified in trade union laws,” warning that the action could damage investor confidence and destabilise Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, said the supply cut “will destabilise downstream stability and scare investors away from the country,” stressing that the decision was made hastily without exhausting proper avenues for addressing grievances.

“This decision will scare away foreign investors who will be worried that due process does not count in addressing grievances in the sector,” Ugochinyere said. “There is need for the union to return to the table for direct talks to be presided over by the downstream committee with regulators, the labour ministry, and Dangote Refinery in attendance to find a working, sustainable solution.”

The committee urged PENGASSAN to immediately suspend the directive and allow lawmakers to mediate. Ugochinyere disclosed that a downstream stability roundtable has been convened, bringing together the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), PENGASSAN, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and legislators.

He further announced the appointment of Hon. Akin Rotimi as chairman of a sub-committee, with Hon. Midala Usman, Hon. Billy Osawaru, and Hon. Mathew Nwaogu as members, to harmonise positions on key issues. These include workers’ right to union membership, allegations of retrenchment, and the powers of private companies to manage operations productively.

The sub-committee has been given 14 days to complete its work. All stakeholders, including NUPENG, PENGASSAN, and Dangote Refinery, have been asked to submit detailed information on the disputes to enable the House to propose a resolution.
Ugochinyere reiterated that while the committee acknowledges workers’ concerns, it cannot endorse actions that risk national energy security.

“This action is hasty and has multiplier effects on the energy needs of Nigerians, as well as potential damage to a delicate private sector investment. We call for the immediate suspension of the shutdown directive,” he declared.