The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, have written President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over allegations that the International Oil Companies, IOCs, are plotting to undermine the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, the Nation Newspaper has reported.
The letter, signed by NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, and PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, reads: “The leadership and members of our great Union and Association profoundly appreciate your commitment and dedication to restoring the economic growth and prosperity of our dear Nation, and we are also fully mobilised and committed to supporting your laudable thoughts and hard decisions towards these lofty goals.
“Unfortunately, we 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 (IOCs) to frustrate their business efforts and continued existence.”
The unions highlighted that the alleged sabotaging actions include denying the refinery crude oil supply and inflating market prices, forcing the Dangote Refinery to source crude oil from as far away as the United States, thereby incurring high operating costs and logistics.
“The Dangote Refinery is not only a critical national asset but also a beacon of hope for our energy security, economic growth, and employment opportunities. The economic benefits of a local refinery with such capacity as Dangote’s in Nigeria can never be overstated,” the letter continued.