Pat Stevens/
The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued an interim injunction restraining the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association from embarking on strike action or picketing Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted the order on Wednesday while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by the refinery’s counsel, George Ibrahim (SAN).
The court also barred the unions from obstructing public roads or disrupting operations at Dangote Refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, and MRS Oil and Gas Company Limited.
Subilim held that irreparable damage could occur if the injunction was not granted. The order, valid for seven days, will remain in effect pending the hearing of a motion on notice.
He directed that the unions be served within the week and ordered the case file transferred to the President of the court for reassignment, as the court’s vacation jurisdiction ends on September 23.
Dangote Refinery had approached the court seeking to restrain NUPENG, the trucking association, their members, agents, and representatives from taking industrial action aimed at crippling the refinery’s operations.
The company also asked the court to compel the drivers to continue petroleum trucking services to it, MRS, and the Nigerian public until the motion on notice is determined.
Ibrahim argued that the unions’ planned actions contravened Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, and Section 12(4) of the Trade Union Act.
He further maintained that the court had jurisdiction to intervene in the dispute.
In a supporting affidavit, the refinery pledged to pay damages if the injunction was later found to be unjustified.
The court ruled that the balance of convenience favoured the refinery and that a serious issue was at stake.
Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery reiterated its support for voluntary unionism, stressing that it respects workers’ rights to either join or abstain from union membership.
It also dismissed claims of monopoly, pointing out that more than 30 refinery licences have been issued to other private operators.
NUPENG, however, accused Dangote Refinery of violating a recent resolution on workers’ rights and intimidating union officials.
The union has placed its members on red alert and called for intervention from government and civil society.
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