By Olakunle Oke
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) suffered significant operational losses following the three-day strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the company has announced.
Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Odulari, disclosed that the industrial action led to a 16 percent drop in crude oil production, a 30 percent loss in marketed gas, and a 20 percent reduction in national power supply.
The dispute, which originated between PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Refinery, forced the shutdown of oil terminals, gas plants, and power facilities.
According to Odulari, this resulted in the deferment of 283,000 barrels of crude oil per day and 1.7 billion standard cubic feet of gas daily.
In a formal letter detailing the disruptions, addressed to both the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Nigerian Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Odulari noted the far-reaching impact of the strike.
The correspondence was also copied to the National Security Adviser and the Director General of the Department of State Services, underscoring the action’s national security implications.
While the company noted that the suspension of the strike has brought temporary relief, it warned of the major economic risks posed by similar industrial actions in the future.