The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused the Dangote Group of violating the agreement between the two parties brokered by the Federal Government on Tuesday.
Pinnacle Daily had reported that NUPENG and Dangote Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allowing newly employed drivers of the Dangote refinery’s CNG trucks to be free to join any labour union. The agreement led to the suspension of a two-day-old nationwide strike by NUPENG.
However, in a statement released on Thursday, September 11, signed by its President and General Secretary, William Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, respectively, NUPENG alleged that on September 10, Alh Sayyu Aliu Dantata, a Dangote official, instructed Truck Drivers who are members of the PTD, an arm of NUPENG, to remove the Union Stickers from their trucks. NUPENG also claimed that Dantata ordered the tanker drivers to forcefully drive into Dangote Refinery to load, but they were stopped by union officials because their trucks violated the Union’s loading rules and regulations.
NUPENG further claimed in the statement that Dantata flew over them several times with his helicopter and also called the Navy to crack down on the union officials.
While condemning Dantata’s actions towards official institutions and the laws of Nigeria, NUPENG called on the Federal Government not to allow the Navy and other security agents to be used in committing acts of impunity.
READ ALSO: NUPENG Suspends Strike, Signs MoU With Dangote Refinery
The union said it has placed its members on “red alert” to resume nationwide strike over the development.
“We are by this statement placing all our members on red alert for the resumption of the suspended nationwide industrial action and calling on the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, all Regional and Global Working people and Civil Society Organizations to rise in support and solidarity against this threat of the Capitalist world,” NUPENG stated.
READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery: Confusion as Tanker Drivers Reject NUPENG Strike over anti-labour Allegations
“His wealth cannot make him be above the law. We assure the people and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that NUPENG will continue to remain a patriotic, responsible and responsive organisation to this great country.”
Last week, NUPENG had accused Dangote and Sayyu Aliu Dantata of engaging in alleged anti-labour union activities.
It claimed that the company was making attempts to prevent its tanker drivers from joining labour unions such as NUPENG.
This comes as Dangote Refinery prepares to begin direct distribution of petroleum products across the country, bypassing middlemen.
The company emphasised that the direct fuel distribution initiative would help to reduce cost of logistics and ultimately make the products affordable and equally available in every part of the country.
However, the union accused the businessmen of attempts to monopolise Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas distribution while suppressing workers’ rights.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
