By Erewunmi Peace

Following weeks of tension between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the company has agreed to redeploy several engineers who were earlier dismissed, marking a significant resolution to the labour dispute.

According to reports by Punch Newspapers and TheCable, the affected engineers have been redeployed to other subsidiaries and operational sites within the Dangote Group, including locations in Borno, Zamfara, and other northern states.

The decision came after the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment intervened in the dispute, which had earlier prompted PENGASSAN to threaten a nationwide strike. Both parties reached an agreement ensuring that affected workers would be redeployed without loss of pay or seniority.

FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, explained that the resolution reflects the company’s commitment to industrial harmony and fairness, adding that operations at the multi-billion-dollar refinery have since returned to normal.

“Our primary goal was to protect our members’ jobs and ensure due process was followed,” a PENGASSAN official said after the meeting. “We are satisfied that the redeployment offers stability and continuity for our members.”

The dispute initially began after the refinery terminated the employment of several engineers, citing operational restructuring. The union, however, argued that the move was unjust and contrary to labour laws, prompting protests and a temporary disruption in operations.

With the new agreement in place, analysts say the development underscores the importance of dialogue and negotiation between management and labour unions, particularly in Nigeria’s growing oil and gas sector.