The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, on Sunday, insisted on Monday’s (today’s) planned strike action.
NUPENG also accused the management of Dangote Refinery of attempting to reintroduce slavery into Nigeria’s workforce.
The union stated this in a statement jointly signed by its President and General Secretary, Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olufemi.
On Friday, NUPENG vowed to embark on strike on Monday over alleged anti-labour activities by Dangote Refinery.
The dispute arose from Dangote’s plan to import 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks for direct fuel distribution to retailers starting August 15.
NUPENG lamented that the refinery’s owner, Aliko Dangote, had insisted that new drivers for the imported trucks would be barred from joining any union.
However, stakeholders, including the Petrol Tanker Drivers and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association, have kicked against NUPENG’s planned strike.
Giving an update on Sunday, NUPENG dismissed claims by the DTCDA, describing it as a management-inspired group created to weaken the ranks of petroleum tanker drivers.
NUPENG described DTCDA as the recruiting company that was formed by Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the 10,000 CNG trucks they are importing.
NUPENG therefore dismissed DTCDA as an unauthorised union for tanker drivers.
“For the information of the public, the DTCDA is the association which the Dangote Group of Companies has formed for the drivers to join compulsorily rather than allowing drivers to join NUPENG, which is the only statutorily recognised union authorised to unionise petroleum tanker drivers.”
NUPENG condemned what it described as an attempt to impose “modern slavery” on Nigerian workers by restricting their right to free association, urging citizens not to support exploitative labour practices.
“Slavery ended centuries ago, but some unscrupulous capitalists are making efforts to bring it back. Any worker who cannot exercise the right of association is no better than a slave. Ordinary Nigerians should neither encourage nor support slavish working conditions,” the union warned.
NUPENG reiterated that it remains united and committed to defending the rights of its members.
“Ordinary Nigerians should neither encourage nor support slavish working conditions,” the statement added.
