Aliko Dangote has accused NUPENG of imposing N50,000 charges on each fuel truck, warning the levies inflate pump prices, while experts question the union’s mandate.
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has accused the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of imposing charges of up to N50,000 on each fuel truck loading at his refinery, warning that the levies ultimately increase pump prices and burden consumers.
Speaking on Sunday, the Dangote Group President described the practice as rent-seeking, saying, “By the time everybody collects their own, you are talking about N80,000 to N84,000. So, who pays for that cost? The consumer actually pays.”
The allegation follows a recent standoff between the union and the company over drivers’ unionisation, which led to depot shutdowns before Federal Government intervention.
NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, neither confirmed nor denied the claims, responding cryptically: “N50k now? No more N1 per litre?”
Energy law expert Prof. Dayo Ayoade questioned the legality of the levies, asking, “Is NUPENG now a tax-collecting agency?”
Analysts warn that such hidden costs could undermine government efforts to stabilise fuel prices.