AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused the Dangote Petroleum Refinery of instigating division within its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch, resisting unionisation, and spreading what it described as “falsehoods” to weaken organised labour.
In a statement signed by its National President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, on Friday, the union dismissed a press release issued by the Dangote Group a day earlier as “an epitome of unconscionable capitalist falsehood aimed at hoodwinking Nigerians and crushing NUPENG.”
NUPENG alleged that despite signing a Memorandum of Understanding on September 9 acknowledging the company’s initial resistance to unionisation, the refinery on September 11 instructed drivers to remove NUPENG stickers from their trucks and replace them with those of the newly formed Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), which it claims was created by the refinery’s management.
The union accused Dangote of attempting since 2023 to create parallel structures within the PTD branch by recruiting defeated union members into the DTCDA.
It also linked some of the individuals defending the company in the media to ongoing criminal cases.
NUPENG further warned Nigerians against what it called a “Greek gift” of free nationwide petroleum delivery by the refinery, alleging the move was designed to stifle competition and coerce drivers into the company-controlled association.
“It is on record that Dangote Group does not allow unionisation in its cement and sugar plants across Nigeria,” the union stated, insisting the same stance was being extended to refinery workers.
On Monday, the union shut down fuel depots to protest alleged anti-labour practices at the refinery. The action, suspended on Tuesday following a meeting brokered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, has yet to resolve tensions.
Responding, the Dangote Group through its spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, denied all allegations, insisting the company respects workers’ rights and does not interfere with union activities.
It maintained that claims of anti-labour practices, monopolistic behaviour, and planned fuel price hikes were “entirely unfounded.”
NUPENG, however, called on Nigerians and the international community to resist what it described as efforts to erode workers’ rights, warning that its leaders must not be harmed in the course of the struggle.
“Our solidarity remains constant, for the union makes us strong,” the statement concluded.
