The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has issued a stern warning that its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch will begin seeking alternative employment from Monday, September 8, following alleged anti-union practices by business moguls, Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Sayyu Aliu Dantata.
The union, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, accused Dangote and Dantata of barring newly recruited compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered tanker drivers from joining existing labour unions.
According to NUPENG, the move violates Nigeria’s labour laws and global best practices.
“We condemn in absolute terms the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional anti-union practices of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata,” the union said.
The refinery, which began nationwide distribution of fuel on August 15 after acquiring 4,000 CNG-powered tankers, has reportedly insisted that drivers sign undertakings not to join NUPENG or any existing oil and gas union.
NUPENG disclosed that during a June 23 meeting, Dantata, representing Dangote, bluntly informed the union leaders that the drivers would only be allowed to form a new company-controlled union.
Despite several appeals to regulatory authorities, the union lamented that recruitment under such conditions commenced on August 29 at Dantata’s MRS Group.
The development, the union said, threatens the jobs and rights of thousands of tanker drivers across the country.
“To us, amassing wealth on the basis of enslavement, depriving workers of a union and voice amounts to creating filthy wealth. NUPENG will not stand idly by while these billionaires seek to destroy the livelihoods of workers,” the statement read.
The union called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intervene and compel Dangote and Dantata to respect labour rights.
Warning of possible nationwide disruptions, NUPENG urged Nigerians to prepare for inconveniences that may arise if the matter is not urgently addressed.
It also appealed to labour unions, civil society, and the general public to stand in solidarity, noting that industrial action may be unavoidable if the standoff persists.
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