Members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, have shut down petrol distribution nationwide with effect from, Monday, September 8, over a face-off with Dangote Refinery.
The National President of NUPENG, Comrade Williams Akporeha, in an interview, noted that the move was in the interest of the country.
NUPENG threatened to embark on a strike over a plan by Dangote Refinery to ditch thousands of members on the grounds of belonging to the union, describing the action as anti-labour practices against the country’s relevant labour laws.
But speaking on the latest development, Comrade Akporeha said that Nigerians must stand out against any employer of labour or investor with a slavery mentality.
According to him, if nothing was done, Dangote Refinery planned to ditch 250,000 drivers over their affiliation to NUPENG.
He stated that the strike was necessary for Dangote to be called to order.
He described anti-NUPENG groups as faceless and propaganda allegedly orchestrated by Dangote Refinery, dismissing claims that its members plan to burn Compressed Natural Gas trucks belonging to the oil firm.
He stressed that NUPENG’s interest is not to shut down the petrol downstream sector or bring down the economy.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has appealed to both NUPENG and Dangote Refinery to reconcile their differences for the good of the country.
Dailypost/Fathia Oladoyin
