NUPENG has halted nationwide petrol distribution in protest against alleged anti-labour practices by Dangote Refinery, prompting urgent government intervention to prevent fuel scarcity.
LAGOS – The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday, September 8, commenced a nationwide shutdown of petrol distribution over its dispute with Dangote Refinery.
NUPENG’s National President, Williams Akporeha, told DAILY POST on Sunday that the action was to protect workers’ rights, warning that 250,000 tanker drivers risked being dismissed due to their union membership.
“Our protest is for the interest of Nigerians. We’re talking about 250,000 drivers that would be thrown on the street,” Akporeha said, accusing Dangote Refinery of anti-labour practices.
He dismissed allegations that union members planned to attack company assets, describing such claims as “faceless propaganda groups used by the Dangote refinery.”
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, has called a reconciliation meeting for 3pm Monday to avert prolonged disruption.
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) appealed for calm, urging both sides to resolve their differences without affecting supply. IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, warned against fuel price hikes, stressing, “At this time, a fuel price hike is not good.”
Fuel prices in Abuja largely remained between N885 and N910 per litre on Sunday, though some stations raised prices to N950.