”NLC specifically gave the impression that the government was treating the Refinery as a sacred cow, but we dare say that the President’s position tallies with the mindset of the majority of Nigerians who appreciate the impact of the facility since it went into operation.
By Olawale Lamina
The Tinubu Media Support Group, TMSG, has justified the position of President Bola Tinubu on the Dangote Refinery as a national asset that needed to be protected.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa and the Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group noted that it was a demonstration of the administration’s readiness to protect investments critical to national interest.
The statement partly reads, “We have noticed how organised labour has risen against the federal government in the aftermath of an assertion by President Bola Tinubu on his administration’s readiness to protect Dangote Refinery and other investments that are critical to the country’s interest.
”For us, the President’s position, which was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at a Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) event, is a fair response by a government that is keen on opening its doors to local and foreign investors.
”It is also necessary because of Nigeria’s energy security at a time when the 650,000 barrel per day is the only functional refinery in the country.
”So it would have amounted to a disservice to the Nigerian people if the Tinubu administration had allowed the situation to degenerate without seeking to protect the facility.
”We are, however, surprised that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and PENGASSAN, the union that was embroiled in a rift with Dangote Refinery, felt that the government’s position was not fair.
”NLC specifically gave the impression that the government was treating the Refinery as a sacred cow, but we dare say that the President’s position tallies with the mindset of the majority of Nigerians who appreciate the impact of the facility since it went into operation.
”The Dangote Refinery qualifies as a national asset which deserves to be shielded from any form of sabotage because of the consequences.
”We are aware of how what was technically a local dispute led to a 3-day nationwide strike that cost the country billions of naira in lost productivity. We have also been told that Nigeria lost revenue from a total of 600,000 barrels of crude oil that could not be moved.
”So as much as the unions have a legitimate right to protect their members, we believe it should not be at the expense of the larger interest of the people.
”We hope that rather than grandstanding, the unions would see the government’s position as well as that of the majority of Nigerians as an opportunity to reassess its style of engagement on local disputes”.
TMSG also urged labour unions to always consider national interest in their decision-making if indeed they are fighting for the citizenry.
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