Dare Babalola
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has warned Nigerians against taking the free fuel offer by Dangote refinery.
Recall that the refinery announced earlier in a statement by its spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, that the distribution of free fuel will start with Lagos, the South West, Abuja, Kwara, Delta, Rivers, and Edo on Monday.
Dangote claimed that the initiative was to bring relief to millions of Nigerians.
However, the Union, in a statement by Williams Akporeha, its National Executive President and the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, on Friday, accused the company of using a “Greek gift” of free nationwide petroleum delivery to undermine the union and stifle competition.
“Nigerians should not be deceived by the offer of free nationwide delivery of petroleum products to dispensing stations. It is a Greek Gift to ensure that other employers of Petroleum Truck Drivers are unable to employ drivers so that only those employed by the company, who are forced to join the DTCDA (Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association), will remain in employment,” the statement reads.
The statement alleged that the company went as far as directing truck drivers to remove NUPENG stickers from their vehicles and replace them with DTCDA insignia, despite a Memorandum of Understanding signed on September 9, 2025, recognising workers’ rights to freedom of association.
NUPENG further named individuals allegedly being sponsored by Dangote refinery to discredit the union, linking them to violent crimes publicly.
“Mr. Dayyabu Garga, who has been speaking on BBC Hausa in support of Dangote Refinery, is serial number three on a criminal charge sheet, while Sylvanus Idanwekhai, who appeared on TVC for the same purpose, is serial number fourteen on CHARGE NO: CR/042/23 at the FCT High Court, Abuja, for violent crimes committed in attempting to assassinate elected and appointed leaders of PTD and NUPENG,” the statement alleged.
The union called on Nigerians and the international community to resist any attempt to deny refinery workers and drivers their right to freedom of association and unionisation, warning that its leaders must not be harmed in the course of the struggle.
