By Omodele Adigun
The Federal Government is wading into the crisis between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN over the sack of about 800 members of the union in the company.
The crisis has taken a national dimension as it may lead to shut down of power generating companies as PENGASSAN has already scheduled a nationwide strike on Monday over the dispute.
Muhammad Dingyadi, the Minister of Labour and Employment, said the ministry had taken steps to bring both parties to a roundtable.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Information in the ministry, Patience Onuobia, the minister has sent invitations to PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery to attend an emergency meeting in the ministry on Monday.
The statement reads: “The Ministry of Labour and Employment through the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations has extended invitations to the leadership of PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Refinery to attend a conciliation meeting in my office on Monday.
“I appeal to both parties to be mindful of the importance of the petroleum sector to the country, being the core of her economy.
“A strike will not only lead to heavy revenue losses by the country but also cause more hardship and difficulties for Nigerians.
“Consequentially, it will have adverse impacts, both on economic stability and national security.”
