The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Tuesday vowed to press ahead with its nationwide strike, following the collapse of a conciliation meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, to resolve the face-off between the union and the Dangote Refinery.
The meeting, held in Abuja on Monday, ended in a stalemate after both parties clashed over the unionisation of tanker drivers at the multi-billion-dollar refinery.
Speaking on Arise News Television, NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, accused Dangote management of rejecting recognised oil unions and allegedly creating a parallel drivers’ association.
“The strike is still on. We started yesterday. As it is, we are still open to dialogue. Discussions are going on, but the strike is still on,” Akporeha said.
He alleged that Sayyu Dantata, a representative of Dangote Refinery, walked out of the meeting, describing the investor’s conduct as dictatorial.
“We thought that yesterday’s meeting would be a one-day affair. But what we saw yesterday should tell Nigerians that we are in for a dictator investor. So, the strike continues anyway. But I’m hopeful good reason will prevail,” he added.
Akporeha insisted that only existing oil and gas unions such as NUPENG and PENGASSAN are recognised by law, warning that attempts to sideline them would not stand.
“Strikes are part of industrial relations. But under my leadership, it has never been the first option. We are still engaging, but no employer has the right to enslave workers,” he said.
The union leader dismissed allegations of sabotage against the refinery, saying, “Everybody wants Dangote to succeed, including NUPENG. But he must play by the rules. Nigeria cannot afford investors who act like dictators or slave drivers.”
The strike directive took effect nationwide on Monday as petroleum tanker drivers stopped fuel loading at depots.
In Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Delta State, depots were under lock, with trucks grounded as drivers awaited fresh directives from NUPENG.
The Aradel refinery in Obele, Port Harcourt, and the Kwale Hydrocarbon facility in Delta were among those shut.
Despite appeals from the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the strike went ahead.
As of Monday morning, activities at major petroleum depots were paralysed, raising fears of a looming nationwide fuel scarcity if the strike persists.
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