…Backs Tinubu on Labour crackdown
The Senator representing Borno-South, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action against the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), accusing the union of pursuing private interests rather than the collective good of Nigerians.
Recall that PENGASSAN recently directed its members to embark on a nationwide strike in response to the dismissal of over 800 workers by the Dangote Refinery.
Reacting during an appearance on a television programme on Monday, Ndume accused the union of corruption and sabotage within the nation’s oil sector. He argued that the union’s role should be to protect national interests, especially given the critical importance of petroleum to the country’s economy.
Ndume insisted that membership in a union must remain voluntary and not be used as a tool to forcefully advance narrow agendas.
The Senator criticised what he described as “so-called unionism” which prioritises the benefits of a few over the welfare of the nation. He condemned PENGASSAN’s attempt to “impose demands” on the Dangote Refinery, stressing that the company is privately owned and should not be compelled to operate under external pressures.
Ndume further accused the union of holding Nigerians “by the neck,” noting that oil and gas resources belong to the country, not the workers. He questioned PENGASSAN’s silence during crucial events in the sector, such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the collapse of state-owned refineries, which forced reliance on imports.
Calling for strong measures, Ndume maintained that President Tinubu has the constitutional authority to dissolve the union if necessary. “The best thing is for the president to sign an Executive Order calling them off. He has the right to dissolve them. In this case, I don’t mind if he acts like a dictator, because some situations require very drastic measures”, the lawmaker said.
