The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) Workers says it will start sourcing for alternative employment from September 8 over the refusal by Aliko Dangote, owner of the Dangote refinery, to allow his newly-employed compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered tanker drivers “join labour unions”.
In a statement jointly signed by Williams Akporeha, NUPENG’s
president, and Afolabi Olawale, the association’s general secretary, in Abuja
on Friday, the union condemned the ‘anti-union practices’ by Dangote and Sayyu
Aliu Dantata, founder of MRS Group of Companies.
“Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)
condemns in absolute terms the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional anti-union
practices of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata,”
the statement reads.
“Meanwhile, since Alh Aliko Dangote and his cousin have
resolved to replace all Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Nigeria and there is no one
or institution that can stop him, the members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers
Branch of NUPENG will from Monday, 8th September 2025, start looking for
alternative employments/skills and sources of livelihoods.”
On June 15, the Dangote refinery had said it would begin the
nationwide distribution of diesel and petrol, on August 15.
The refinery also said it acquired 4,000 new CNG-powered
tankers to enhance the distribution.
According to the statement by NUPENG, the union had a
meeting with Dantata to seek clarification following the refinery’s
announcement.
“In a brutally cold and crude manner, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu
Dantata informed NUPENG and NARTO leaders that the truck drivers they will
recruit will not be allowed to join any existing union, but a new union will be
formed for them,” the association said.
“Arising from the unfortunate outcome of the meeting, the
leadership of the Union have made several efforts to get relevant institutions
of the country to make Alh Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alh Sayyu Ali Dantata
to follow line of global best practices and decency but all to no avail.
“To our utmost shock, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata’s MRS
commenced the recruitment of drivers for the imported CNG Trucks on Friday,
29th August 2025. The drivers being recruited are being forced to sign an
undertaking not to belong to any existing union in the Oil and Gas Industry.”
NUPENG said the recruitment being carried out on the
condition of not joining existing union “is the implementation of the position
declared to us by Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata on 23rd of June, 2025” during a
meeting where Dantata represented Dangote.
NUPENG expressed concern over the business practices of
Dantata and Dangote “who are scared of allowing unions to exist in their
business outfits”.
“To us, amassing wealth on the basis of enslavement,
depriving workers of a union and voice amounts to creating filthy wealth,” the
association said.
“NUPENG will not stand idly by while these billionaires seek
to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including tanker drivers.
NUPENG stood in solidarity with Dangote Refinery during its construction and
commissioning.”
The group lamented that there was “no justice or
inclusiveness” in the execution of the refinery’s recruitment.
Furthermore, NUPENG called on the Nigerian Midstream and
Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intervene, promoting
competition and private sector participation in the midstream and downstream
petroleum operations.
NUPENG TO FG: CALL DANGOTE, DANTATA TO ORDER
The association further called on the federal government and
its agencies “to call the two trillionaire businessmen to order”.
“They should be told to obey the laws of Nigeria. If they
persist in their anti-union tyrannical attitudes, NUPENG is set and ready to
mobilize its forces to fight within the framework of the law,” the statement
reads.
They urged the public to bear any inconveniences from their
actions, calling on unions and labour bodies to stand in solidarity through
peaceful and industrial actions.
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