The House of Representatives has said its interest is to protect strategic economic investments in the country from adversarial unionism with an economic sabotage undertone.

The House’s resolution was made following a motion under urgent national importance by Alhassan Doguwa, representing the Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Kano State, and seconded by Abdussamad Dasuki for the Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State.

There was a rift between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos, which resulted in strike action recently.

The strike disrupted operations at the $20 billion refinery, the largest single-train refinery in the world.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker recalled with dismay the recent nationwide strike embarked upon by the PENGASSAN, which impacted negatively on the Dangote Refinery and on the nation’s economy.

He said there was the need for national cognisance of the economic role and importance of Dangote Refinery to petroleum production and distribution.

The lawmaker warned against industrial actions capable of impeding economic development and eroding public trust.

He said, “Note that the industrial action led to a disruption in Nigeria’s crude oil production, with a reported daily loss of approximately 200,000 barrels over a period of three days. Further note that the disruption worsened the fuel supply situation across the country, resulting in scarcity and long queues at filling stations in several states, thereby causing severe hardship for ordinary Nigerians.’’

The lawmaker who described Dangote Refinery as one operating under Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) called for compliance with the NEPZA Act.

Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act clearly states: “Employment in the Free Zone shall be governed by rules and regulations made by the Authority and not subject to the provisions of any enactments relating to employment matters.” 

The deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, referred the motion to relevant committees for further legislative action.

(NAN)