NUPENG vs Dangote: FG’s High-Level Meeting Ends in Deadlock, Strike Bites Harder
The much-anticipated consultative dialogue between the Federal Government, the leadership of the Nigeria Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, representatives of the Dangote Group, and other key industry stakeholders has collapsed without a resolution, PulseNets has learnt.
The Federal Government had earlier fixed the meeting for Monday, September 8, in a bid to douse the growing industrial tension between NUPENG and the Dangote Group. However, the session, which was initially scheduled to commence at 3:00 pm, did not take off until well after 5:00 pm, sources confirmed to PulseNets.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been issued by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, the union’s President, Williams Akporeha, or the Dangote Group regarding the outcome.
Speaking on the importance of the gathering before it began, Minister Dingyadi explained that the government’s goal was straightforward. “We are here to mediate between the oil workers’ union and the Dangote Group. This kind of dispute is not new to us, and we believe dialogue remains the best path,” he said.
However, a source who was privy to the discussions but requested anonymity told PulseNets that the negotiations failed to produce any tangible agreement. “Details remain sketchy, but from all indications, no common ground was reached today. We might get clearer updates by tomorrow,” the source revealed.
Adding to the voices calling for a breakthrough, the National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Maigandi, told PulseNets in an interview that only a sustainable resolution will serve the interest of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, enforcement of the strike action continued to take its toll on Monday as NUPENG shut down major depots and several filling stations across Lagos and Warri. The impact was immediately felt in Warri, where reports obtained by PulseNets indicated a spike in transportation fares.
In Abuja, however, our correspondent observed that fuel pump prices remained largely unchanged in most outlets, ranging between ₦885 and ₦910 per litre, with the exception of Empire Filling Station, which sold at ₦950 per litre as of Monday night.
Yet, growing concerns loom over looming scarcity. PulseNets gathered that other critical unions, including the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), are considering mobilising their members for a full-scale shutdown. If this happens, petrol supply disruptions and price hikes could be inevitable.
NUPENG President Williams Akporeha has repeatedly accused the Dangote Group of implementing policies that he described as anti-labour, particularly in the company’s plan to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks for nationwide petroleum distribution. According to him, such a strategy is designed to “enslave workers rather than empower them.”
Also Read: Govt,NUPENG trade blames as fuel scarcity bites harder
The Dangote Group, however, has insisted on going ahead with its operational model, despite the union’s resistance.
With the deadlock now threatening to spiral into a wider industrial crisis, the oil and gas sector faces yet another wave of uncertainty that could deepen Nigeria’s petrol supply woes.
