‘Entirely unfounded’ — Dangote refinery denies NUPENG’s accusation of anti-labour practices

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery (DPR) says the plant does notengage in anti-labour practices. On September 5, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and NaturalGas Workers (NUPENG) said workers will down their tools and commence a strikefrom September 8 in protest of alleged anti-union practices by Dangoterefinery. The union, however, suspended the industrial action onSeptember 9, after the intervention of the federal government, regulators, andstakeholders. On September 11, NUPENG said it had placed all its memberson red alert for the resumption of its suspended nationwide industrial actionover a fresh disagreement with the refinery. In a statement on Thursday, Dangote refinery denied theallegations, insisting that claims of anti-labour practices were “entirelyunfounded”. Dangote refinery emphasised its full support forconstitutionally protected labour rights, stating that employees are free toaffiliate with any recognised trade union. “Assertions that drivers are compelled to waive union rightsare categorically false,” the statement reads. The refinery said the dispute involves NUPENG’s petroltanker drivers (PTD) unit and does not implicate the refinery in anyinfringement of rights. Dangote refinery also denied NUPENG’s allegations that theroll-out of over 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered bulk trucks coulddisplace existing jobs, describing the initiative as a mainstay of Nigeria’senergy transition strategy. “The deployment of CNG-powered trucks is a strategicinitiative designed to support national energy transition goals, not todisplace existing jobs,” the company said. “Each truck will be operated by a six-person team, withdrivers receiving salaries significantly above the national minimum wage, plusmedical cover, pensions, housing allowances, and long-term access to housingloans. “The company aims to have 10,000 such trucks in operation byyear-end, potentially creating over 60,000 direct jobs.” Responding to accusations of monopolistic behaviour, Dangoterefinery emphasised its compliance with Nigeria’s deregulated oil sector underthe supervision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum RegulatoryAuthority (NMDPRA). The company highlighted that over 30 refinery licences havebeen issued to private players, “with active developments by BUA, Aradel,Walter Smith, and the Edo Refinery”. “While we are major industry player, our presence hasrevitalised the downstream sector, reopened previously dormant petrol stationsand restored investor confidence,” the refinery said. ‘NO PLANS TO INCREASE FUEL PRICES’ Dangote refinery also denied any plans to increase fuelprices, saying its operations have stabilised fuel availability and driven downcosts. “Diesel prices, for instance, have dropped by over 30% inthe past year, and petrol prices in Nigeria are now reportedly lower than inoil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia and 40% cheaper than neighbouring WestAfrican countries,” the refinery said. The company also said its N720 billion investment in CNGinfrastructure shows its commitment to reducing logistics costs and improvingnationwide fuel distribution. Dangote refinery said it maintains a cordial and cooperativerelationship with all recognised trade unions, including NUPENG, denyingaccusations of walking out on recent conciliation efforts. The refinery added that the union “had not formallycommunicated any grievances before going public”. “We acknowledge and appreciate the intervention of theFederal Government, particularly the Ministry of Labour and Employment, andremain fully supportive of ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting resolution,”the refinery said. “We hold both the Minister, Dr Mohammed Dingyadi (KatukaSokoto) and Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, in the highest regards, and reject anysuggestion that we have acted in a manner that would undermine theirinvolvement. The Hon. Minister granted Mallam Sayyu Dantata the permit toenable him attend to his medication.” Reiterating its commitment to responsible business, Dangoterefinery described “monopoly allegations” as “recycled falsehoods,” urgingother private sector players to follow its lead in investing in Nigeria’seconomic future.

Read More