A reconciliation meeting organized by the Federal Ministry of Labour between Dangote Refinery and the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG) ended in deadlock on Monday night.
The meeting, attended by NUPENG’s national executives, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and representatives from Dangote Group and MRS Petroleum, was co-chaired by Labour Minister Muhammed Dingyadi and Minister of State Nkeiru Onyejeocha.
Speaking to the press after the nearly seven-hour session, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah said the Dangote Refinery representative abruptly walked out, refusing to agree to any terms despite efforts to accommodate their stance.
“We are left with no option but to take necessary action. The industrial action will continue,” Upah stated.
NUPENG had earlier announced plans for industrial action starting September 8 due to Dangote Refinery’s move to import 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks for fuel distribution.
The union accused Dangote of anti-labour practices, notably refusing to allow new drivers for these trucks to join any union an infringement on constitutional rights and international labour conventions.
Despite several meetings involving NUPENG and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners urging Dangote to reconsider, the refinery allegedly ignored these appeals.
The situation escalated when MRS Petroleum, owned by Dangote’s cousin, started hiring drivers for the CNG trucks with conditions barring union membership.
As a result, NUPENG threatened to halt fuel loading nationwide unless the dispute is resolved, warning against job losses in the sector.
The Labour Ministry’s conciliation meeting aimed to defuse tensions, but disagreements over the proposed Memorandum of Understanding from the Dangote group stalled progress.
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