NUPENG: Fuel transporters shut down petrol distribution nationwide
Members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have commenced a nationwide shutdown of petrol distribution from Monday, September 8, in protest against Dangote Refinery’s alleged anti-labour practices.
NUPENG National President, Williams Akporeha, said on Sunday that the strike was necessary to protect the interests of Nigerians and union members.
He claimed Dangote Refinery planned to dismiss 250,000 drivers over their union affiliation, while recruiting replacements under the condition that they would not join NUPENG.
“Our protest is in the interest of Nigerians. We are talking about 250,000 drivers that would be thrown on the street,” Akporeha said. “Those groups opposing us are faceless propaganda, allegedly orchestrated by Dangote Refinery. Our action is not to bring down the economy but to call law-breaking parties to order.”
The strike follows weeks of tensions after Dangote Refinery introduced Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks, prompting NUPENG to accuse the company of violating labour laws. While some Dangote-backed groups, including the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), have opposed NUPENG’s action, Akporeha dismissed claims that union members intended to damage the refinery’s assets.
A meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday between NUPENG and Dangote Refinery, called by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, is expected to determine the course of the strike.
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has appealed for reconciliation between the parties to avoid further disruption. IPMAN President Abubakar Maigandi warned marketers against exploiting the strike to increase fuel prices.
Both Akporeha and Maigandi stressed that fuel prices should remain stable during the strike.
Most filling stations in Abuja maintained prices between N885 and N910 per litre, although Empire filling stations raised theirs to N950 per litre.
The federal government had earlier urged NUPENG and the Nigerian Labour Congress to suspend the strike to avert nationwide disruption in the petroleum sector.
