The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain in active service at its $20 billion facility despite an ongoing restructuring of its workforce.
In a statement on Friday, the company dismissed reports of mass retrenchment, stressing that only a “very small number” of employees were affected.
It explained that the exercise became necessary to guard the refinery against what it described as repeated acts of sabotage.
The 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery said it had uncovered “intermittent cases of sabotage” in different units of the complex, warning that such incidents posed grave safety risks and threatened the stability of the project.
“This exercise is not arbitrary. It has become necessary to safeguard the refinery from repeated acts of sabotage that have raised safety concerns and affected operational efficiency.
“The foregoing decision was taken in the best interest of the Refinery as a result of intermittent cases of sabotage in the various units of the Refinery with dire consequences on human life and related safety concerns.
“Over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively in our Petroleum Refinery, at present. Only a very small number of staff were affected, as we continue to recruit Nigerian talent through our various graduate trainee programmes and experienced hire recruitment process,” the statement signed by management read.
The refinery assured that it remains committed to creating sustainable jobs through graduate trainee programmes and experienced hires while protecting workers’ rights under international labour laws, including the freedom to join a union.
“We remain vigilant to our internal systems and vulnerabilities to ensure the long-term stability of this strategic national asset.
“It is imperative to protect the refinery for the benefit of Nigerians, our partners across Africa, and the thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on it.
“We exist to serve Nigerians, strengthen Africa’s energy independence, and create decent, sustainable jobs,” the statement added.
But the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has countered the claim, alleging that workers were dismissed after joining the union.
It accused the refinery of intimidation and violation of constitutional rights.
PENGASSAN, in a statement signed by branch chairman Abdulfatai Muhammed and secretary Eseoghene Choice, alleged that buses provided for staff were withdrawn shortly after the union was formed, forcing workers to bear high transportation costs.
The union further claimed that some Nigerian staff were denied entry into the refinery premises, while expatriates were allowed access.