Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued an interim order stopping the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from embarking on a nationwide strike aimed at cutting off crude and gas supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim, ruling on the motion on Friday, restrained PENGASSAN and its affiliates from executing the planned shutdown, warning that the action could gravely undermine Nigeria’s already fragile economic stability.
The order also restrains the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from enforcing or supporting any directive that would disrupt supply lines to the refinery.
The case was adjourned to October 13 for further hearing.
Meanwhile, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has assured Nigerians of uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas despite what it described as “coordinated attempts to sabotage operations.”
The assurance followed reports alleging that some PENGASSAN members and hired groups had planned attacks on strategic production units at the facility, particularly those linked to petrol output.
Over the weekend, PENGASSAN had reportedly directed members in major oil companies including TotalEnergies, Chevron, Seplat, Shell Nigeria Gas, and Oando to shut crude oil valves feeding the Lagos-based refinery, which is currently a critical domestic source of refined fuel.
The refinery, considered Africa’s largest, plays a significant role in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on fuel imports and stabilize pump prices.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to resolve the labour dispute through negotiation while preventing disruption to national energy supply.
Court Halts PENGASSAN Strike Planned to Cripple Dangote Refinery
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Chukwu Obinna 
Korede Abdullah 