NUPENG threatens to resume strike

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to resume its suspended nationwide strike, over alleged breach of agreement.

The union made this known in a statement by its National President, Mr Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Mr Afolabi Olawale, on Thursday in Abuja.

The union accused the Dangote Group of violating a peace agreement brokered by the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the peace pact was 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.

NUPENG also warned against the use of security agencies to intimidate workers and urged the Federal Government to intervene promptly.

It further called for solidarity from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), they Trade Union Congress (TUC), and civil society groups.

It stressed that workers’ rights must be defended.