The National Industrial Court in Abuja has barred the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association from carrying out any strike action aimed at shutting down or disrupting operations at the Dangote Refinery.
Justice E.D. Subilim issued the interim order while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, and MRS Oil and Gas Company Ltd. The applicants, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, George Ibrahim, sought protection against industrial actions that could cripple their operations.
The motion, marked NICN/ABJ/279/2024, prayed the court to restrain NUPENG, its members, and agents from taking steps that could halt production or frustrate business activities. A similar order was sought against the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association to ensure continued petroleum trucking services to the companies and the Nigerian public pending the determination of the substantive motion.
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Granting the application, Justice Subilim restrained both unions from embarking on or joining any strike action against the applicants for seven days. She held that the balance of convenience was in favour of the oil companies, noting that irreparable damage could occur if the orders were not granted.
The Judge further explained that the applicants had given an undertaking as to damages, adding that the matter would be reassigned to another judge by the Court’s President following the end of the vacation period.
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