The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stopped paying the monthly salaries of engineers dismissed in September following a conflict with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The engineers were asked to accept redeployment to various projects across Zamfara, Borno, Benue, Sokoto, and other states, but many refused, prompting the suspension of their wages.
Some engineers had been sent to work on coal projects in Benue, road construction in Borno and Ebonyi, and rice processing plants in Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara. While a few accepted these assignments, most relied on assurances from PENGASSAN that the issue would be resolved through discussion.
Earlier, the Dangote Group had reduced salaries in October before completely withholding the November pay of the affected workers. Company officials explained that payment would not continue for those who rejected the offered placements.
The dispute stems from a broader disagreement that led to a nationwide shutdown of oil and gas facilities in September. The refinery had dismissed a few workers accused of disrupting operations, which the company described as part of a reorganization. The shutdown had caused declines in power generation and oil production until the Federal Government intervened.
In October, the engineers were formally offered trainee positions in alternative projects, with letters specifying that they must report within 14 days. However, many workers expressed concerns over the postings, citing lack of office addresses and security risks in the assigned states.
PENGASSAN continues to negotiate with Dangote to resolve the dispute and prevent another industrial action. Both sides remain firm on their positions, leaving the outcome dependent on ongoing talks between the union and the company.