The clash between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) intensified on Friday, with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, daring the union to help Nigerians uncover the mystery behind the $18 billion allegedly wasted on government-owned refineries.
In a strongly worded statement, Dangote questioned why the nation’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna have remained comatose for decades despite colossal investments in turnaround maintenance.
“When Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries were privatised to a consortium that included Dangote in 2007, NUPENG was among those who fiercely opposed the move,” the company said. “Today, about $18bn has been squandered with no results. Who spent all these humongous amounts without success? Can NUPENG assist Nigerians to unravel this?”
The refinery also dismissed accusations that it is plotting to monopolise Nigeria’s fuel distribution, stressing that it operates within a deregulated framework under the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. “Assertions of monopolistic intent are both legally and factually incorrect,” it stated.
Crisis Talks at DSS Office
Amid the fiery exchanges, the Ministry of Labour convened another peace meeting on Friday at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja.
MRS Oil boss, Sayyu Dantata, led the Dangote delegation, while NUPENG was represented by its president, Williams Akporeha. After the talks, Akporeha confirmed that both sides were urged to respect the memorandum of understanding signed earlier in the week.
“The meeting has ended. The status of the communique must be maintained by all parties,” he said.
The latest meeting followed the collapse of Tuesday’s truce after NUPENG accused Dangote of instructing drivers to strip their trucks of NUPENG stickers and replace them with those of a new company-controlled association.
Union Accuses Dangote of Divide-and-Rule
On Thursday, NUPENG blocked the refinery’s main gate, halting fuel loading operations. In a statement signed by Akporeha and the union’s general secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG accused the refinery of resisting workers’ right to unionise, sowing division among drivers, and deploying “falsehoods” to weaken the union.
It further warned Nigerians against what it called Dangote’s “Greek gift” of free nationwide petroleum delivery, alleging it was a ploy to stifle competition and force drivers into the company-backed association.
The Dangote Group swiftly denied the allegations, insisting it respects constitutionally guaranteed labour rights. “Our employees are free to affiliate with any recognised trade union,” said Anthony Chiejina, the group’s spokesman.
The refinery also rejected claims of threatening workers’ welfare or union activities, maintaining that its new deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks was designed to modernise logistics, not undermine labour rights.
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