Fuel scarcity may soon hit several parts of the country as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Thursday barricaded the entrance of the Dangote Refinery.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the workers’ union prevented trucks without its official stickers from accessing the facility.
The action, which the union said followed a breach of earlier resolutions between NUPENG and the Dangote Group over recognition of workers’ union rights, saw trucks deployed to block the refinery’s gate.
The union claimed it took the step after receiving information that the refinery management was planning to forcefully evacuate the trucks already stationed to stop MRS Oil Nigeria Plc vehicles without stickers from loading petrol at the depot.
“Our men heard that the management of Dangote is planning to bring towing vehicles to remove the trucks NUPENG is using to block MRS trucks that are without union’s stickers,” a source said.
“So NUPENG reinforced with more trucks to block the entire gate into the refinery.”
It is alleged that Dangote Group brought in MRS trucks without NUPENG stickers to load at the refinery, prompting further reinforcement of the blockade.
“They brought in all these MRS trucks without NUPENG union stickers to load, and the drivers said their boss told them to remove our stickers,” the source disclosed.
This latest confrontation comes just days after NUPENG suspended its nationwide strike.
However, earlier on Thursday, the union accused Dangote Refinery and its affiliate, MRS Energy Limited, of violating resolutions reached with the Federal Government. The union alleged that Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, a cousin of business mogul Aliko Dangote, instructed drivers to strip their vehicles of NUPENG stickers and proceed with loading in defiance of agreements.
Tensions reportedly escalated when Dantata “called in naval personnel” to the facility.
In a statement signed by National President, Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG condemned what it described as “arrogance” and “blatant disrespect for national institutions.”
The union warned that it would not allow “any individual, no matter how wealthy, to undermine the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” while placing its members on red alert for possible resumption of strike action.
NUPENG has also called on the Federal Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), civil society groups, and international labour bodies to intervene, insisting that Dangote Group must abide by union regulations.
