By Fola James
No protester was shot and killed by policemen while protesting at the Dangote Refinery, Lekki on Tuesday, the manufacturing giant has said, in response to media reports of a violent protest by workers of the refinery yesterday.
The angry workers who were demanding better welfare package blocked the entrance of the refinery preventing vehicular and other movement within its premises.
Dangote, however, stated that the protesting workers were not its employees but contract staff of a hiring firm.
“Our attention has been drawn to an issue on social media alleging staff protest at the refinery over salary increment dispute.The protesters are direct employees of Onshore, Offshore (Oil) and Chemie-Tech subcontractors, who are currently dealing with an industrial dispute with their employees. The situation is under control as we are mediating with the parties involved,” the company assured in a statement.
The management of the refinery said it has already waded into the matter with a view to seeking a resolution, according to the Group Executive Director, Projects and Portfolio Management, Edwin Devakumar who said no one was killed during the protest.
He said though the protesting workers were engaged by the company’s contractors, the Group has stepped in to resolve the dispute.
Devakumar said the management has commenced discussion with both parties and the issues at stake have been amicably resolved.
