Fuel scarcity imminent as tanker drivers shun depots Monday over union dispute – NUPENG

In a statement on Friday, jointly signed by Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, President and General Secretary, NUPENG accused the management of Dangote Refinery of alleged anti-labour practices, inimical to the survival and means of livelihoods of its members under its Petroleum and Tanker Drivers Branch.

The Union specifically expressed strong reservations about the position of Chairman of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote that drivers recruited for operations of its 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, Trucks imported into the country would not be allowed to join any trade union.

The union described the position taken by the management of Dangote Refinery as an affront on the right of association, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and a breach of relevant international labour laws to which Nigeria is a signatory.

The statement reads partly: “We call on the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Authority, the Authority, for short, to invoke its powers under Section 32(u) & (aa) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“Under those two provisions, the Authority is empowered to promote competition and private sector participation in the midstream and downstream petroleum operations.

“The Authority has responsibility to identify, investigate and prevent abuse of dominant positions and restrictive business practices with regard to midstream and downstream petroleum operations.

“Nigeria is a member of the international community and a State member in the International Labour Organisation. Nigeria has ratified Convention No. 87 of 1948, the Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948.

“This Convention had been ratified by Nigeria, as far back as 17th October 1960. Under the Convention, workers have the right to join unions of their choice, for the protection of their employment and trade union rights, and without prior authorization of any employer or authority.

“Indeed, by virtue of section 254C (2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, a ratified ILO Convention is a constitutional provision.

“Therefore, any practice or policy by any employer which seeks to deprive workers of the right of association is an affront to the Constitution.

“By this statement, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies, including well-meaning segments of the Nigerian society, to call the two trillionaire businessmen to order. They should be told to obey the laws of Nigeria. If they persist in their anti-union tyrannical attitudes, NUPENG is set and ready to mobilize its forces to fight within the framework of the law.