By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
NUPENG Threatens Strike Over Alleged Breach of Agreement by Dangote Refinery
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has warned that it may resume its recently suspended strike, accusing the management of Dangote Refinery of failing to honour agreements reached with the union, the Federal Government, and tanker drivers.
In a statement signed by NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union directed its members to prepare for industrial action, alleging that resolutions signed at the Department of State Services (DSS) office earlier this week were already being breached.
The oil workers’ union claimed that despite agreeing to allow unionisation of employees and tanker drivers, the management of Dangote Refinery ordered truck drivers who belong to NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch to remove the union’s stickers from their vehicles.
“We are by this statement placing all our members on red alert for the resumption of the suspended nationwide industrial action,” NUPENG stated, calling on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), civil society organisations, and global labour groups to support its cause.
The agreement in dispute was reached on Tuesday during a closed-door meeting convened by the DSS and attended by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, officials of the NLC, and representatives of Dangote Group.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both parties agreed that unionisation is a legal right and that Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals workers who wish to unionise would be allowed to do so within two weeks. The MoU also stated that no worker would be victimised over the strike.
The strike, which began on Monday, was suspended after the agreement was signed. NUPENG had accused Dangote Refinery of employing new drivers on the condition that they avoid joining the union — an allegation the company denied, describing it as “cheap blackmail.”
The refinery, which began operations last year with a 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity, is the largest in Africa. While it has helped cut petrol import dependence and reduce pump prices, it has also faced monopoly concerns and tensions with tanker operators.
Dangote spokesman Anthony Chiejina maintained earlier in the week that there was no fuel shortage during the strike and that discussions with unions were ongoing.
