The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) says the free petrol distribution announced by the Dangote refinery is a “Greek gift”.
A Greek gift is a present given with a hidden intention to harm the recipient.
On Thursday, the refinery said the free direct supply of the product will commence in 11 states.
In a statement on Friday, signed by Williams Akporeha, NUPENG’s president, and Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG’s general secretary, the association alleged that the refinery is attempting to edge out 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,” they said.
NUPENG also alleged that there are other operational and administrative workers of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company who the management has been preventing and obstructing their rights to belong to the union.
The group urged 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”.
On September 11, NUPENG placed all its members on red alert for the resumption of its suspended nationwide industrial action over an altercation between its members and MRS Oil drivers.
On the same day, the Dangote refinery said NUPENG’s accusation that drivers were mandated to waive union rights was false, saying the dispute involves the association’s petrol tanker drivers unit.
Responding to the refinery, NUPENG denied the claim, describing it as “unfounded fabricated lie from the pit of hell”.
The union also alleged that Dangote refinery has been sponsoring a division within the PTD branch of NUPENG since 2023.
NUPENG also reiterated its allegation that Dangote refinery directed that the union’s stickers be removed from “all trucks to be replaced by the sticker of the Association, the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) formed by the Management”.
The union added that “our members have stoutly resisted this development”.
