Abuja — The National Industrial Court has granted an interim injunction preventing the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), its members, agents, or privies from embarking on any strike or industrial action aimed at shutting down operations of Dangote Refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Limited, and MRS Oil & Gas Company pending resolution of a lawsuit.
The injunction was issued by Justice E. D. Subilim in response to an ex-parte motion filed by Dangote Refinery and its affiliate companies. In their petition, the applicants requested that NUPENG be restrained from taking steps that would disrupt refining, petroleum trucking, or business operations. Additionally, the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association was included in the order to refrain from supporting or participating in any strike connected to the dispute.
The judge’s order mandates that until further hearing, the refineries and associated companies must not be obstructed in their operations. The attorneys for Dangote argued that the refinery could suffer irreparable damage if such shutdowns or disruptions were allowed to occur while the issues remain unresolved.
Union leaders had previously threatened industrial action over alleged grievances including what they described as anti-labour practices by the refinery management. The court order is expected to last for seven days, during which time the substantive case will be heard.
