The high-level consultative meeting between the Federal Government, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Dangote Group, and other stakeholders ended in a stalemate on Monday.
The dialogue, convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, was aimed at resolving the escalating face-off between NUPENG and the Dangote Group. Originally scheduled for 3 p.m., the meeting did not begin until after 5 p.m., but as of press time, no official resolution had been announced.
Dingyadi had earlier stressed the importance of the talks, saying:
“We are here to try and reconcile our labour unions in the oil industry and the employers in Dangote Group. This is not the first time we are having this kind of dispute.”
However, industry insiders told URBAN BRIEF that discussions ended without any concrete agreement.
“Details are still sketchy. However, it seems there is no agreement yet. I should know from tomorrow (Tuesday),” one source revealed.
Meanwhile, NUPENG enforced its nationwide strike on Monday, shutting down major depots and some filling stations in Lagos and Warri. The industrial action has already triggered ripple effects: reports from Warri indicate transportation fares have spiked, though fuel pump prices in parts of Abuja remained between N885 and N910 per litre on Monday night, except at Empire Filling Station where it sold for N950.
The situation could worsen, as other unions — including the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) — have threatened to join the strike, raising fears of imminent fuel scarcity and higher prices nationwide.
NUPENG president Williams Akporeha has accused Dangote Group of anti-labour practices in its plan to roll out 4,000 compressed natural gas trucks for petroleum distribution, alleging the company’s policies are designed to “enslave workers.” Dangote Group, however, has maintained its stance on implementing the controversial policy.
