Shutdown crude oil,gas to Dangote refinery by PENGASSAN:” Is economic terrorism”– Group
Kola Oyelere Kano
An association under the umbrella of the Area Social Contract Initiative (ASCI)has said that the recent actions by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN)-“ordering the shutdown of crude and gas supplies to the refinery and calling for a nationwide strike-constitute nothing short of economic terrorism”.
“By weaponizing energy supply, PENGASSAN is deliberately targeting the lifelines of ordinary Nigerians: our hospitals, our markets, our transportation systems, and our homes,the association said
Making this known on Wednesday at a press conference,the leader o f ASCI Malam Sani Yusuf Adamu at the Nigeria Union of Journalist( NUJ) Kano , said “This is not a mere industrial dispute; it is a calculated assault on Nigeria’s economic future, orchestrated by vested interests threatened by our nation’s journey to self-sufficiency.”
” This is not a mere industrial dispute; it is a calculated assault on Nigeria’s economic future, orchestrated by vested interests threatened by our nation’s journey to self-sufficiency.he added
He however noted that ” The recent actions by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN)-ordering the shutdown of crude and gas supplies to the refinery and calling for a nationwide strike-constitute nothing short of economic terrorism.
According to him” The attack on Aliko Dangote-a Northern industrialist who has invested massively in the South is a dangerous politicization of a national asset. It seeks to divide us along regional lines and punish pan-Nigerian investment. We must see through this divisive tactic.”
The A$CI then called on the Federal government,to as a matter of urgency to ” Immediately secure the Dangote Refinery and guarantee an uninterrupted supply of crude oil. Treat any obstruction as a treasonable offence.”
Deploy law enforcement to protect the facility and workers, declaring the refinery a Critical National Infrastructure,he said
As well “launch a full-scale investigation into the economic sabotage being perpetrated by PENGASSAN and its sponsors.”
While telling the leadership of PENGASSAN,that ” Your actions are an affront to the Nigerian people”
. “We demand you: immediately cease and desist from all actions aimed at crippling the refinery.
And ” Publicly account for the billions of Naira collected from your members and explain your consistent opposition to national progress.” And as well return to genuine dialogue and stop holding the nation hostage.”