Dangote transfers sacked engineers to remote project sites in Borno, Zamfara
The Dangote Refinery has re-engaged engineers who were dismissed last month following a dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), redeploying them to new projects across several states.
Investigations by The PUNCH revealed that the affected engineers, many of whom were still on graduate trainee status when they were sacked, have now been reassigned to work on various Dangote Group projects in Borno, Zamfara, Benue, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Ebonyi states.
Some of the engineers confirmed that they were invited to collect new letters of re-employment under Dangote Projects Limited, assigning them to coal mining operations in Benue, concrete road construction projects in Borno and Ebonyi, and rice processing plants in the North.
READ ALSO: Fuel prices surge again as Dangote Refinery rolls out CNG trucks nationwide
A letter titled “Offer of Trainee Engagement” sighted by The PUNCH stated that the engineers would undergo two years of training in construction, commissioning, and operations, after which their roles would be reviewed. The letter, signed by Dangote Group’s Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, directed recipients to report to their new locations within 14 days or risk termination.
However, some of the workers have expressed concerns over their deployment to insecure areas and the absence of clear reporting addresses. “Those are high-risk zones, and the letters don’t specify where we’re to report. PENGASSAN has advised us not to accept the redeployments until discussions are concluded,” one engineer said.
A senior official within the Dangote Group confirmed the redeployment, saying it aligned with an agreement to reassign the workers to other business units across the conglomerate.
The crisis began when PENGASSAN alleged that about 800 refinery workers were dismissed for joining the union, prompting a nationwide strike that disrupted oil production and power generation. Dangote, however, maintained that only a few employees were terminated for “sabotaging” refinery operations.
READ ALSO: PENGASSAN orders gas supply cut to Dangote refinery
Following federal government intervention, the company agreed to reinstate the affected staff under different subsidiaries.
Meanwhile, Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, announced plans to hire 65,000 additional workers as part of the refinery’s expansion from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day, which will make it the world’s largest single-train refinery upon completion.
He also endorsed proposed amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), arguing that the changes would enhance local refining and energy security.
Dangote further disclosed plans to establish a massive tank farm in Namibia to support regional exports of refined petroleum products to Southern African countries.
READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery suspends petrol sales in Naira
President Bola Tinubu, speaking through Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri, praised the refinery’s expansion and pledged full government support, describing the project as “a global game-changer” for Africa’s energy sector.
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