NUPENG, Dangote Feud: Fuel Transporters Shut Down Petrol Distribution Nationwide
Members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have announced the shutdown of petrol distribution nationwide with effect from today, Monday, September 8, over a face-off with Dangote Refinery.
The National President of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, stated this on Sunday, noting that the move was in the interest of the country.
It would be recalled that NUPENG had threatened to embark on a strike over a plan by Dangote Refinery to ditch thousands of members on the grounds of belonging to the union.
The union had described the action as anti-labour practices against the country’s relevant labour laws.
Speaking with DAILY POST on the latest development, Akporeha said that Nigerians must stand out against any employer of labour or investor with a slavery mentality.
According to him, if nothing was done, Dangote Refinery planned to ditch 250,000 drivers over their affiliation to NUPENG.
He stated that the strike was necessary for Dangote to be called to order.
“Our protest is for the interest of Nigerians. We’re talking about 250,000 drivers that would be thrown on the street.
“Our members with Dangote refinery and MRS are about to be thrown out, while there is a plan to recruit new ones with a clause that they would not belong to our union,” he said.
He described anti-NUPENG groups as faceless and propaganda allegedly orchestrated by Dangote Refinery, dismissing claims that its members plan to burn Compressed Natural Gas trucks belonging to the oil firm.
“There is nothing like that; those groups are faceless propaganda groups used by the Dangote refinery.”
Akporeha is optimistic that a meeting scheduled for 3pm Monday (today), called by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, between the union and Dangote Refinery, would end the strike.
He stressed that NUPENG’s interest is not to shut down the petrol downstream sector or bring down the economy.
“The minister of labour reached out to us, and they are planning for a meeting tomorrow. The meeting is at 3pm.
“Well, there are two parties involved; for our end, we are optimistic because our action is not to bring down the economy; it is for the interest of the country.
“For individuals, those who want to bridge the laws of the country have to be called to order.
“Nigerians should stand out against any employer or labourer or investor that wants us to be slaves,” he added.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
