..It’s slavery, NUPENG rejects proposal, sets for strike
..NLC, PETROAN back strike as IPMAN seeks truce
BY TONY UDOKA AND BEN OGBEMUDIA
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has concluded plans to commence an indefinite nationwide strike today (Monday) in protest against the alleged anti-labour policies of the Dangote Refinery over its planned distribution of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
It was gathered that Dangote Refinery, through its distribution subsidiary, MRS, has begun recruiting petroleum tanker drivers for its nationwide supply of refined products. The union alleged that drivers of the imported CNG trucks are being compelled to sign undertakings not to join any oil and gas union.
In a joint statement signed on Sunday by NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi, the union described the development as “slavery” and directed members of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch to withdraw services from depots nationwide.
NUPENG accused Dangote Refinery of “anti-labour practices” and insisted it would not surrender to what it called “slavish conditions being promoted by Dangote in the oil industry.”
The union further disowned a statement credited to Barrister Enoch Kanawa, President of the so-called Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), who urged Nigerians to disregard the strike threat. NUPENG maintained that its PTD branch remained united and the only legitimate voice for tanker drivers.
“The attention of the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has been drawn to a news report on ARISE Television on Saturday, September 6, and in some dailies, where some unidentified persons calling themselves Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) asked Nigerians to disregard our alert on the withdrawal of services by our Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch,” the statement read. “We ask our members, members of the public and the media to disregard the DTCDA and its statements.”
NUPENG recalled that it had previously held several meetings alongside the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to persuade Dangote to allow unionisation, but lamented that its appeals were ignored.
Although the Dangote CNG scheme, originally scheduled to begin on August 15, was delayed due to logistics challenges in China, the refinery said operations would begin once a substantial number of trucks arrived.
Backing NUPENG, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) vowed to mobilise in solidarity if Dangote fails to reverse the policy.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in a statement at the weekend, described the refinery’s practices as “crude and dangerous,” alleging a broader pattern of labour abuses across the Dangote Group’s cement, sugar, and flour subsidiaries.
The NLC accused Dangote of paying some of the lowest wages in the oil and gas sector, denying union rights, casualising workers, creating unsafe conditions, and preferring foreign nationals over qualified Nigerians.
“If left unchecked, these anti-union policies will set a dangerous precedent, allowing powerful corporations to flout Nigerian labour laws and international conventions on freedom of association and collective bargaining,” the NLC warned.
In Edo State, the NLC also declared readiness to join the strike. Chairman Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide said:
“The Edo State council of the NLC is in full support of the planned actions of NUPENG and will mobilise all affiliates in the state. We advise Edo workers and the public to get petroleum products that will sustain them during this action, as filling stations will be shut. An injury to one is an injury to all.”
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have appealed for dialogue to avert the strike.
PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, urged President Bola Tinubu to personally intervene, warning of a “looming danger” to the economy.
“We are saying that the worries of NUPENG and PTD are correct, because you cannot just come and take off the value from the union with the kind of capacity you have,” Gillis-Harry said. “We are calling on the President, the NSA, the IGP, and the DSS to quickly bring everybody to the roundtable before noon on Monday so that we can discuss this. It’s a looming danger.”
Similarly, IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, said oil marketers were working to reconcile the parties.
“We are still appealing to NUPENG and Dangote to reconcile their differences. With work resuming fully on Monday, we will continue the engagement and see how best to resolve the matter,” he said.
In a similar position, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) on Sunday declared its readiness to join the industrial action on Tuesday
According to a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Obele, the association said the action would be effective midnight on Tuesday, if the consultations expected to be held from Sunday through Monday failed.
It said the three-day shutdown was aimed at resisting monopolistic practices in the petroleum downstream sector and safeguarding workers’ rights.
PETROAN noted that the action would be peaceful and lawful, restating its commitment to price stability and a productive industry.
PETRAN president, Gillis-Harry, in the statement, urged President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), the Group Chief Executive of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) chief executive, and security heads to urgently intervene to avert hardship on Nigerians.
He warned that the aggressive business approach of Dangote Refinery could force private depot owners, modular refineries, marketers, and transport operators out of business, creating mass unemployment and worsening economic conditions.
Gills Harry likened the development to the cement industry’s experience, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant against monopolistic dominance.
He said a 120-man compliance team has been set up to ensure safety at member outlets during the industrial action.
The association reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to promote healthy competition in the oil and gas sector, which it says is vital to protecting jobs, stabilising prices, and sustaining Nigeria’s economy.
The statement partly read, “In a bid to mediate on the proposed shutdown, PETROAN held an emergency ordinary national general meeting, where it resolved to hold consultations on Sunday and Monday. In the event of no fruitful outcome, the PETROAN Congress agreed not to sack any employee who participates at all retail outlets nationwide by the early hours of Tuesday.
“To enforce this decision, a 120-man compliance team will be mobilized as watchdogs to ensure the safety of our members’ facilities. As a critical player amongst stakeholders, PETROAN will join other stakeholders in ensuring healthy competition in the oil and gas sector of Nigeria. This collaborative effort aims to promote a conducive environment for workers, foster sector growth, and ultimately benefit the Nigerian economy.”.
It said the three-day shutdown was aimed at resisting monopolistic practices in the petroleum downstream sector and safeguarding workers’ rights.
PETROAN noted that the action would be peaceful and lawful, restating its commitment to price stability and a productive industry.
It warned that the aggressive business approach of Dangote Refinery could force private depot owners, modular refineries, marketers, and transport operators out of business, creating mass unemployment and worsening economic conditions.
He likened the development to the cement industry’s experience, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant against monopolistic dominance.
He said a 120-man compliance team has been set up to ensure safety at member outlets during the industrial action.
The association reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to promote healthy competition in the oil and gas sector, which it says is vital to protecting jobs, stabilising prices, and sustaining Nigeria’s economy.
The statement partly read, “In a bid to mediate on the proposed shutdown, PETROAN held an emergency ordinary national general meeting, where it resolved to hold consultations on Sunday and Monday. In the event of no fruitful outcome, the PETROAN Congress agreed not to sack any employee who participates at all retail outlets nationwide by the early hours of Tuesday.
“To enforce this decision, a 120-man compliance team will be mobilized as watchdogs to ensure the safety of our members’ facilities. As a critical player amongst stakeholders, PETROAN will join other stakeholders in ensuring healthy competition in the oil and gas sector of Nigeria. This collaborative effort aims to promote a conducive environment for workers, foster sector growth, and ultimately benefit the Nigerian economy.”