The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stopped paying the monthly salaries of engineers dismissed in September during its dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
PENGASSAN confirmed that it is currently in discussions with the Dangote Group to resolve the issue amicably and prevent a renewed industrial clash.
According to findings, the affected workers had their salaries suspended after many of them rejected redeployment to locations such as Zamfara, Borno, Benue, and Sokoto states.
Some employees disclosed, under anonymity, that they were reassigned to various Dangote projects, including a coal mine in Benue, concrete road construction sites in Borno and Ebonyi, and rice processing facilities in Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
While a handful accepted the new postings, several others declined, relying on the union’s assurance that the matter would be settled through dialogue.
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It was further gathered that the company had issued a warning in October by cutting the wages of those who refused redeployment before fully halting their November salaries.
A senior Dangote Group official, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the company’s stance, insisting it could not continue paying staff who rejected alternative placements. He noted that the organisation had offered opportunities across its various projects, and those who accepted had resumed work.
PENGASSAN earlier shut down key oil and gas facilities in September, alleging that over 800 workers were dismissed for union involvement.
The refinery, however, maintained that only a limited number were removed for actions it described as sabotage. The shutdown led to nationwide production losses and affected power generation until the Federal Government intervened.
By October, the affected engineers were directed to collect new engagement letters at the company’s Ikeja office, with some receiving offers under Dangote Projects Limited.
