By Joan Nwagwu
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to resume its suspended nationwide strike, over alleged breach of agreement brokered between it and Dangote Group by the Federal Government.
NUPENG made the threat in a statement signed by its National President, Mr Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Mr Afolabi Olawale, on Thursday in Abuja.
The union noted that the Dangote Group has acted against the peace pact signed on Tuesday at the DSS headquarters to guarantee workers’ rights and industrial harmony.
“On September 10, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata instructed all his truck drivers, who have been members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of NUPENG for several years, to remove union stickers from their trucks.
“On September 11, he further directed the drivers to storm the Dangote Refinery for loading, in spite of our officials blocking them over violations of established loading rules and regulations.
“We are, by this statement, placing all our members on red alert for the possible resumption of the suspended nationwide industrial action,” it said.
The union urged organised labour and civil society organisations to resist what it described as threats from the capitalist class.
”We call on everyone to let Alhaji Sayyu Dantata know that he is not bigger than Nigeria.
“We strongly condemn his disregard for official institutions of this great country,” the union stated.
It further called for solidarity from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and civil society groups.
It stressed that workers’ rights must be defended.
Recall that NUPENG directed its members to embark on strike over alleged anti-labour practices by Dangote Refinery.
The union had also accused the firm of planning to render its members jobless following moves to hire non-affiliated drivers.
Other unions in the sector including the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Western Zone had also joined NUPENG in the call for strike against Dangote.
However, they all suspended the strike action following agreements reached with Dangote Group and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) workers effective Sept. 9.
“Following productive discussions and compliance by Dangote Group on agitation by NUPENG, we have decided to call off the strike action effective today, Sept. 9.
“This decision comes after careful consideration and assurances addressing concerns regarding anti-labour and monopolistic ideas by Dangote Group,” the Western Zone Chairman of IPMAN, Chief Oyewọle Akanni said while announcing suspension of the strike in a statement.
(NAN)
