The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has once again threatened to resume its suspended nationwide strike following a fresh dispute with the Dangote Refinery.
In a statement on Thursday, signed by National President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union announced that it has placed all members on red alert over what it described as anti-union actions.
NUPENG alleged that Sayyu Dantata, founder of MRS Oil, directed his tanker drivers, longtime members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the union, to remove NUPENG stickers from their trucks on Wednesday.
The move reportedly sparked a confrontation between the drivers and union officials.
The union further claimed that Mr. Dantata ordered the drivers to forcefully access the Dangote Refinery for loading, but its officials denied them entry, citing violation of the association’s loading rules.
According to NUPENG, security operatives were later called in against its officials.
Condemning what it described as a disregard for Nigeria’s labour institutions, NUPENG warned that it would not hesitate to restart its industrial action if the situation persists.
The union also appealed for solidarity from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), civil society groups, and international labour organisations.
This latest threat comes barely 48 hours after NUPENG suspended its strike action over alleged anti-labour practices at the Dangote Refinery.