The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has warned Nigerians to brace for possible fuel scarcity as it directed members to halt the loading of petroleum products starting Monday, September 8.

In a statement jointly signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union accused Dangote Refinery of engaging in anti-labour practices that threaten the livelihoods of workers under its Petroleum and Tanker Drivers Branch.

At the heart of the dispute is the position of Dangote Refinery Chairman, Aliko Dangote, who reportedly insisted that drivers recruited to operate the refinery’s 10,000 imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks would not be allowed to join any trade union.

NUPENG condemned this stance as an affront to workers’ constitutional rights to freedom of association, enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as well as a breach of international labour laws to which Nigeria is a signatory.

The statement partly reads:

“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… 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.”

Citing Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the union urged the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Authority to investigate what it described as restrictive business practices by the refinery.

NUPENG further called on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to caution “the two trillionaire businessmen” and ensure compliance with Nigerian laws.

“If they persist in their anti-union tyrannical attitudes,” the union warned, “NUPENG is set and ready to mobilize its forces to fight within the framework of the law.”

The union’s directive raises fresh concerns over looming disruptions in fuel supply nationwide if the impasse is not resolved.