Dangote Refinery says there will be no fuel scarcity despite the NUPENG strike, assuring Nigerians of steady petrol supply while denying claims of anti-union practices.
The Dangote Refinery has assured Nigerians that the ongoing strike by fuel tanker drivers will not result in nationwide petrol shortages.
Speaking on the matter, the refinery’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, explained that the company had deployed its own drivers to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to filling stations.
“There is no shortage of petrol; operations are running smoothly,” Chiejina stated, noting that discussions are currently ongoing among the union, government, and the company.
The strike, which began on Monday, is backed by local and international labour unions. Members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) allege that Dangote only employs drivers on the condition that they avoid joining unions—an accusation the refinery has strongly denied.
Union president, Williams Akporeha, insisted that the company’s policies undermine workers’ rights, saying Dangote “does not want employees to have a voice.” NUPENG has since received solidarity from the Nigeria Labour Congress as well as labour organisations in the United States and Switzerland.
Dangote’s spokesperson, however, dismissed the claims, insisting: “That is false. Nobody has imposed such conditions, and nobody ever will.”
Since its launch last year, the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, with a daily refining capacity of 650,000 barrels, has significantly reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel and helped stabilize pump prices.
Still, critics argue that the refinery is attempting to dominate the market. Its plans to introduce thousands of compressed natural gas-powered trucks have also faced delays due to logistical setbacks.
