The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused Dangote Petroleum Refinery of disguising an anti-union and monopolistic agenda under the cover of a planned free petrol distribution scheme.
In a statement on Friday signed by National Executive President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG alleged that the move by the refinery to deliver free fuel to selected states was a “Greek gift” designed to cripple union activities and eliminate competition in the petroleum trucking sector.
The union’s accusations came after the Dangote Group dismissed claims of anti-labour practices, monopoly tendencies, and planned fuel price hikes. The refinery insisted that allegations it barred tanker drivers from joining NUPENG were “entirely unfounded.”The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused Dangote Petroleum Refinery of disguising an anti-union and monopolistic agenda under the cover of a planned free petrol distribution scheme.
Earlier in the week, NUPENG had shut down depots, protesting that the refinery had prevented newly recruited drivers of its 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks from joining the union.
The issue was eventually addressed on Tuesday with the government mediating.
However, the union’s National President, Williams Akporeha, on Wednesday said Dangote violated an agreement signed at the office of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to NUPENG, drivers were allegedly instructed to remove union stickers from their trucks and compelled to load products in defiance of established rules.
Meanwhile, Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced on Thursday night that its free petrol distribution scheme will commence on Monday, beginning in the South-West, the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Delta, Rivers, and Edo States. It also slashed pump prices to ₦841 per litre in Lagos and the South-West, and ₦851 in Abuja, Kwara, Edo, Rivers, and Delta.
The union further cautioned that any harm to its leaders would be blamed on what it described as “desperate and destructive capitalists with filthy wealth.”
Nigerians should not be deceived by the offer of free nationwide delivery of petroleum products to dispensing stations,” NUPENG warned. “It is a Greek gift meant to wipe out competition and crush our union.”
The statement also alleged that Dangote Group has consistently denied unionisation rights across its cement and sugar operations nationwide.
