PENGASSAN Fires Back at VP Shettima Over Dangote Dispute
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) has responded to Vice President Kashim Shettima's criticism of its recent strike, asserting it would take the same action again to protect its members. The dispute began when PENGASSAN launched a strike last week, alleging Dangote Refinery sacked 800 workers for joining the union. The strike was suspended after government intervention, but Vice President Shettima, speaking at an economic summit, condemned the action. He described Aliko Dangote as an "institution" and stated that "Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN," warning against holding the nation "to ransom." In a sharp rebuttal, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo stated, "Of course the nation is bigger than PENGASSAN, the way it’s bigger than Dangote and the Presidency." He affirmed that the union has a mandate to protect its members' jobs and would deploy the same strike action […]