Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC,, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, has called for an amicable resolution of the disagreement between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and the Dangote Refinery, warning that any disruption to operations could jeopardise energy supply and inflict hardship on Nigerians.
Komolafe, speaking on Arise TV in an interview monitored by SweetcrudeReports in Port Harcourt, urged both parties to return to the negotiation table, stressing that dialogue remained the only sustainable option to resolve the crisis.
“Parties should refrain from what could cause supply disruption in the country because that will not be in the interest of the country,” Komolafe cautioned.
The NUPRC boss emphasised that the contentious issues could be resolved without escalating the dispute to a level that threatens national energy security.
“So we believe that the issues are what the parties can sit down and discuss and resolve amicably without trying to put energy supply in jeopardy, because it will not be in the interest of any party,” he said.
The dispute between PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Refinery has heightened concerns over potential disruptions in fuel supply, given the refinery’s strategic role in Nigeria’s push for self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products.
Komolafe’s intervention comes amid growing anxiety among stakeholders in the oil and gas sector that prolonged industrial disputes could derail the refinery’s contribution to stabilising the country’s downstream market.
He reiterated NUPRC’s commitment to ensuring a stable operating environment for both investors and workers in Nigeria’s energy industry, saying collaboration and constructive dialogue are critical to sustaining the gains of recent sector reforms.
“The commission will continue to provide regulatory support and ensure that the Nigerian oil and gas industry thrives in a manner that benefits the country, investors, and the workforce,” Komolafe added.
