The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has cautioned Nigerians against embracing the free petrol delivery initiative announced by the Dangote Refinery, describing it as a “Greek gift.”
Gatekeepers News reports that on Thursday, the refinery said it would begin free direct supply of petrol to filling stations in 11 states.
But in a statement on Friday signed by its president, Williams Akporeha, and general secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG alleged the move is a calculated attempt to sideline other employers of Petroleum Truck Drivers (PTD).
“Nigerians should not be deceived by the offer of free nationwide delivery of petroleum products to dispensing stations. It is a GREEK GIFT to ensure that other employers of Petroleum Truck Drivers are unable to employ drivers so that only those employed by the company, who are forced to join the DTCDA, will remain in employment. Everything is targeted at crushing NUPENG and its PTD Branch,” the statement read.
The union further claimed that the refinery has been obstructing the rights of its workers to unionize, urging Nigerians not to “support a work arrangement in which drivers and other workers in the Dangote Group will be denied the right to enjoy freedom of association and unionisation.”
Earlier on September 11, NUPENG placed all its members on red alert over the possible resumption of its suspended nationwide strike following a clash involving its members and MRS Oil drivers.
On the same day, Dangote Refinery dismissed NUPENG’s accusations, stating that no driver had been compelled to renounce union rights, and that the conflict lies within the tanker drivers’ unit.
NUPENG, however, rejected the refinery’s response, describing it as an “unfounded fabricated lie from the pit of hell.” The union also accused the company of fueling divisions within its PTD branch since 2023.
Reiterating its grievances, NUPENG alleged that the refinery ordered its members to remove NUPENG stickers from trucks and replace them with those of the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), a parallel body formed by the management.
“Our members have stoutly resisted this development,” the union added.
