House of Representatives intervenes in Dangote Refinery dispute to restore stability and protect private investments amid nationwide fuel disruptions

The House of Representatives intervenes in Dangote Refinery dispute, seeking to restore calm following the industrial face-off between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the refinery management, which disrupted petroleum distribution nationwide.

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The intervention followed a motion of urgent public importance jointly sponsored by lawmakers Alhassan Doguwa and Abdussamad Dasuki during Tuesday’s plenary.

The motion, titled “We need to protect private investment from adversarial unionism,” underscored the strategic importance of the $20 billion Dangote Refinery to Nigeria’s economy.

The lawmakers lamented that the dispute, which began on 29 September 2025, had triggered significant production losses—estimated at 200,000 barrels per day over three days—and worsened fuel scarcity across several states.

Speaking on the motion, Doguwa stressed that the Dangote Refinery was a cornerstone of national economic stability, capable of ensuring energy security, reducing import dependency, and generating employment.

He urged the House to act swiftly to safeguard such critical private investments from disruptions.

Doguwa further explained that, as the refinery operates within a Free Trade Zone, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).

Citing Section 18(5) of the NEPZA Act, he argued that employment regulations within the zone are governed solely by the Authority and not subject to general labour laws.

“The House is concerned that actions by labour unions which disregard these legal protections not only breach the law but also create a hostile investment environment that discourages both local and foreign investors,” he said.

Supporting the motion, the member representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency, Ahmad Jaha, cautioned against hasty decisions but acknowledged the need for a balanced resolution.

After extensive debate, the House resolved to mediate between PENGASSAN and the Dangote Group in the national interest.

It also directed the Ministries of Labour, Trade, Industry, and Justice to jointly formulate policies safeguarding strategic private investments from adversarial union actions.

The resolution further mandated the Ministry of Justice and NEPZA to ensure strict enforcement of the Free Zone employment provisions under the NEPZA Act.