COURT RESTRAINS OIL WORKERS FROM CUTTING GAS SUPPLY TO DANGOTE REFINERY

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association from taking steps to sever or interrupt gas and crude supply to Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The restraining order forbids any industrial action by these bodies aimed at disrupting production until a pending court case filed by Dangote Refinery is resolved.  

Justice E. D. Subilim granted the injunction following an ex-parte motion filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, along with MRS Oil Nigeria Limited and MRS Oil and Gas Company Limited. The motion, filed under case NICN/ABJ/279/2024, seeks to prevent union or driver group-led actions that could cripple operations at the refinery. Counsel for the refinery argued that allowing the industrial unrest to continue could cause irreparable harm to its operations.  

Under the terms of the court’s order, NUPENG and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association are barred from shutting down operations, obstructing roads, or otherwise frustrating business activities at the refinery. The court held that preserving the continuity of operations was essential given the refinery’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s energy sector and economic stability.  

Dangote’s legal team has welcomed the decision, stating it provides legal protection against what it views as disproportionate industrial action. Meanwhile, labor union members have expressed disappointment but say they will comply with the injunction while exploring legal options and continuing discussions behind the scenes. No date has yet been set for the hearing of the substantive motion.