NUPENG, PENGASSAN Urge Tinubu To Investigate Plot Against Dangote Refinery
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), have advised President Bola Tinubu to commission an investigation into the alleged plot against the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical by the International Oil Companies (IOCs).
In a letter dated July 1, 2024 jointly signed by the NUPENG General Secretary, Comr. Olawale Afolabi and PENGASSAN General Secretary, Comr. Lumumba Okugbawa, and made available on Tuesday, the Unions said, they are deeply concerned and shocked by the recent unusual allegations by the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company of a deliberate plot by some International Oil Companies (lOCs) to frustrate their business efforts and continued existence.
They noted that these sabotaging actions reportedly include denying the Refinery crude oil supply and artificially inflating market – prices of the crude oil to the Company, thereby forcing Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company to source crude oil from other countries, even as far as the United States of America with attendant high operating costs and logistics.
Consequently, demanded that the Federal Government sets up an independent panel to investigate the claims of sabotage by some International Oil Companies.
The investigation, according to the Unions, should be comprehensive and transparent, ensuring that all parties involved are held accountable.
They said, the findings of this investigation must be made public to ensure transparency and maintain public trust, noting that Nigerians deserve to know the truth about the -actions of these International Oil Companies and the impact on our national interests.
The Unions added that Should the allegations be substantiated, the Government should take decisive legal action against the entities involved, including sanctions, penalties, and any other measures necessary to deter future acts of economic sabotage.
The Unions also demanded that the Government should provide all necessary support to ensure the uninterrupted commencement and operation of the Dangote Refinery. This includes ensuring security and stability around the Refinery’s operations.
According to them, the Dangote Refinery is not only a critical National asset but also a beacon of hope for nation’s energy security, economic growth, and employment opportunities, adding that the economic benefits of a Local Refinery with such capacity as the Dangote’s to Nigeria, can never be overstated.
They said, “This is why for several decades now, NUPENG and PENGASSAN have campaigned vigorously that Nigeria should make it a pre-requisite condition that Companies that want to benefit from JVC arrangements with Nigeria, to set up a Refinery/Petrochemical Company in Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, no successive Governments summoned enough political and patriotic courage to take that logical and pragmatic policy direction.
“The survival of companies that have braved it up and invested hugely in refining crude in Nigeria thus saving our Nation from wasteful product importations that profit other countries and cost us forex, should be of great interest to us as a Nation because of the enormous economic benefits involved”, they noted in the letter.
