PENGASSAN: From unionism to terrorism and economic saboteurs.
By KG Nesta
Let’s factorize issues
Penultimately, march 18, 2025, President Tinubu imposed 6 months state of emergency in Rivers state and suspended 2 democratic elected institutions; executive and legislative arms of government, on the guise, (not even empirical fact), that oil installations were bombed and that government cannot fold its arms on destruction of national assets vis a vis oil production.
PENGASSAN, a union of oil and gas workers, who are not elected by Nigerians had the effrontery to pass instructions to their members across oil majors to halt oil supply to Dangote Refinery, thereby turning unionism to terrorism and economic sabotage.
Will the President fold his arms and watch how PENGASSAN et al are terrorizing local investors, let alone nationwide economic sabotage?
I have no problem with the unionisation of staff, but unionism should not be used as terrorism. Recall NUPENG also grandstanded on 4,000 Dangote Refinery truck drivers. What exactly do these unions want from Dangote? Membership dues? Or are they agents of oil cabal who never wanted Dangote Refinery to succeed?
A private organization is not bound to unionise its staff!
We have many private organizations in Nigeria whose staff are not compelled to join unions!
Private universities are not members of ASUU, private secondary and primary schools are not members of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), private transportation companies like GUO, GIG, ABC etc are not members of NURTW. So, why the fuss on a private Refinery?Dangote Refinery.
There is a labor law. If any staff is aggrieved, such staff can seek redress in court! We have seen many cases where staff sued their company and won in court! They do not need any union to fight for them through terrorism but fought their case in a civil manner.
The present action of PENGASSAN has made them tolling the line of a terrorist organization and economic saboteurs based on their so called shut down of crude supply. They have crossed the line of unionism to terrorism
This is how Hamas started in Palestine. They are so-called freedom fighters, but now a terrorist organization that is now causing problems for the Palestinians!
KG Nesta writes from Port Harcourt. kgnesta@gmail.com
