There might likely be fuel scarcity in Nigeria from today as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) set to embark on strike in protest against the decision by the Dangote Refinery not to allow drivers of its newly imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks join any trade union.
The tanker drivers declared a strike over Dangote Refinery’s plan to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for direct fuel distribution, bypassing existing tanker drivers. The initiative, according to NUPENG, threatens thousands of jobs and violates the right of workers to unionize.
In a statement signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG accused Dangote of anti-labour practices.
The union alleged that the refinery barred new drivers from joining any union, describing it as a violation of Nigeria’s constitution and international labour conventions.
It argued that while it supported Dangote Refinery during its construction, it did not expect the company to “monopolise distribution, crush competition, enslave the sector, and raise prices.
NUPENG vowed to resist moves that could undermine members’ livelihoods.
Worldswiftnews (WSN) earlier reports the NLC and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) had on Saturday urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the face-off.
In a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC said the President needed to “immediately call Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Sayyu Dantata to order” and impress on them to respect national and international labour laws.
The Congress warned that the government should not look the other way while a few individuals privatise the nation’s energy future and enslave its workforce.
It said: “The NLC unequivocally condemn the anti-union, anti-worker, and monopolistic practices of the Dangote Group and its affiliates. Nigerian workers are not slaves and cannot be serially abused without consequences.
“If Dangote continues on this reckless anti-union path, we will move beyond words to action.”
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