The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from continuing with its nationwide strike against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Justice Emmanuel Sublim, who presided over the matter on Monday, held that the strike action – aimed at cutting crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery – could inflict serious damage on Nigeria’s economy if allowed to proceed. He therefore directed the union to suspend the industrial action immediately.
The ruling followed an ex-parte application filed by the refinery’s counsel, Mr. George Ibrahim, SAN. The court also barred key regulators, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), from enforcing any directive by PENGASSAN to halt crude and gas supplies.
Justice Sublim emphasized the importance of maintaining the status quo pending the determination of the substantive motion. He ordered that the restraining order and suit be served on all defendants without delay. The matter was adjourned to October 13 for hearing of the motion on notice.
