Members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have shut down petrol distribution nationwide beginning today, Monday, September 8, following a face-off with Dangote Refinery.
The National President of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, confirmed the move in an interview with DAILY POST on Sunday, stressing that the action was taken “in the interest of Nigerians.”
Background to the Dispute
Last week, the union threatened to embark on strike over an alleged plan by Dangote Refinery to disengage thousands of drivers due to their affiliation with NUPENG. The union described the move as a violation of labour rights and the country’s labour laws.
Akporeha alleged that about 250,000 drivers risk being thrown out of work, while Dangote and affiliated companies, including MRS, intend to hire replacements under a condition that they cannot belong to the union.“Our protest is in the interest of Nigerians. We are talking about 250,000 drivers that would be thrown on the street,” he said.
Dangote Denies, Labour Groups React
Pro-Dangote groups such as the Tanker Drivers Association and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) have dismissed NUPENG’s claims, while a civil group, Economic Rights Activists (ERA), condemned the strike action.
But Akporeha described the anti-NUPENG groups as “faceless propaganda outfits” allegedly sponsored by Dangote Refinery. He also denied claims that union members planned to attack or burn compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks belonging to the refinery.
FG Steps In
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, has summoned both parties to a meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. today (Monday) in a bid to resolve the crisis.
Akporeha expressed optimism, saying:“Our action is not to bring down the economy; it is for the interest of the country. We are optimistic the meeting will end the strike.”
IPMAN Appeals for Calm
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has appealed to both NUPENG and Dangote to reconcile their differences to avoid worsening fuel scarcity.
IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, urged filling station operators not to take advantage of the strike to raise pump prices.
“We are appealing to both parties to come to the negotiation table. At this time, a fuel price hike is not good for the country,” he said.
Both Akporeha and Maigandi warned against price hikes, insisting that no station should exploit the crisis.
Fuel Prices Hold… For Now
As of Sunday, pump prices in Abuja remained between ₦885 and ₦910 per litre at most filling stations. However, Empire filling stations raised their price from ₦899 to ₦950 per litre, sparking fears of further increases if the strike persists.
The federal government has also appealed to NUPENG and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve any action that could deepen the crisis, promising to intervene decisively.
