Dangote Refinery Reports 22 Sabotage Incidents

Dangote Group Vice President Devakumar Edwin has disclosed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery encountered 22 separate incidents of sabotage since operations began. He made this revelation during a facility tour by Bubaraye Dakolo, the King of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council.

Edwin clarified that a recent company reorganization, which involved staff dismissals, was unrelated to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The refinery confirmed dismissing a “small number of workers” on September 26, though PENGASSAN claimed over 800 employees lost their jobs due to union disputes.

The refinery stated these dismissals were necessary to protect the facility from repeated sabotage attempts that created safety concerns and hampered operational efficiency. PENGASSAN initially called for a nationwide strike on September 28, but suspended the action on October 1 following federal government intervention. Dangote Group subsequently agreed to redeploy affected workers to other subsidiaries.

Refinery Operations Under Pressure

Edwin emphasized the reorganization became essential after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery faced multiple security breaches. “We have been under repeated attacks,” he stated. “Originally, they said the refinery would not come up. Then they said it would not be commissioned and start production.”

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

He directly addressed union allegations, confirming, “The reorganization we did had nothing to do with PENGASSAN. We started facing incidences of sabotage. We have 22 incidences of sabotage.” Edwin noted these incidents included attempted fires and equipment tampering, all documented with specific dates and affected units.

Advanced Systems Prevent Major Damage

The vice president credited the facility’s ultra-modern systems for preventing catastrophic damage from these sabotage attempts. “When somebody starts a fire somewhere, the fire protection system is so well, it is immediately controlled,” Edwin explained. “When they try to break down an instrument, some other instrument overrules it and stops.”

He expressed serious concern about threats to the massive investment in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. “Somebody can just bring a major unit down,” Edwin warned. This security threat ultimately prompted the significant organizational changes at the facility, independent of any labor disputes with PENGASSAN.