The Federal Government has stepped in to resolve the escalating dispute between the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Refinery. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, has summoned both parties to a conciliation meeting in Abuja to prevent a nationwide strike that could disrupt fuel distribution across the country.
In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Patience Onuobia, the government appealed to NUPENG to suspend its planned industrial action and also urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its solidarity warning to other unions. The minister stressed that even a day-long shutdown in the petroleum sector would cause severe hardship for Nigerians and lead to huge financial losses for the government.
The dispute stems from Dangote Refinery’s plan to deploy 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks for petroleum distribution while restricting contracted drivers from joining trade unions. NUPENG strongly opposes this condition, describing it as an infringement on workers’ rights and a threat to union activities.
By convening the conciliation meeting, the government aims to find a lasting solution that will safeguard both the rights of workers and the stability of the nation’s oil sector, while ensuring uninterrupted supply of petroleum products.
