From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Osun State, The Osun Masterminds (TOM), has called on the federal government to intervene in the ongoing dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery, citing significant national implications.
During the monthly state address held in Osogbo, the Executive Director of TOM, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, highlighted concerns regarding labour rights and welfare raised by PENGASSAN while emphasising the need to protect Dangote Refinery, a vital national asset, from disruptions.
“We must be clear; both parties share in the blame for the escalation of this dispute. However, the responsibility lies with the Federal Government, which must not fold its arms while such a critical matter threatens the already fragile economic stability of the country,” Oyedokun-Alli stated.
The coalition urged the Federal Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and the Presidency to mediate urgently between both parties, calling for a fair and lasting resolution that guarantees workers’ rights while ensuring uninterrupted operations at the refinery.
Also, TOM expressed deep concern over the recent killing of Moruf Adebisi near the Dada Estate Police Station in Osogbo. The coalition stated that this incident raises serious questions about the overall security in the state and the commitment of the police to protect citizens.
“Moruf’s gruesome killing, executed very close to the Dada Estate Police Station, with no arrests made to date, forces questions about the true state of security in our state. The silence of the Osun State Government on such a critical security matter also calls for serious concern,” the group said.
They criticised the lack of action from the Osun State Police Command, stressing that the community deserves more than empty assurances. “We demand that those behind the killing be brought to book and made to bear the full weight of the law,” they added.
The coalition also urged the Osun State Government to prioritise the swift resolution of this case to reassure residents of their safety. They emphasised that the nature and location of Moruf’s killing indicate that no citizen can feel secure, underscoring the need for thorough investigations.
“We send our sincere condolences to the Adebisi family and want them to know that we stand with them in this trying time. We are all Moruf, and we must unite to ensure such tragedies do not occur again,” TOM stated.
Commenting on the local government imbroglio in Osun, the group reiterated the need for an urgent round-table discussion to bring together representatives from the state government, local government officials, political parties, civil society, and community leaders, saying that such dialogue will help bridge divides and elevate Osun above partisanship.
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