The federal government has commenced meeting with the
Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and representatives
of the Dangote refinery as part of efforts to mediate the dispute between both
parties.
The meeting, currently ongoing, is being led by Mohammed
Dingyadi, minister of labour and employment, as well as Nkiruka Onyejeocha,
minister of state for labour and employment.
On September 5, NUPENG said workers will down their tools
and start sourcing for alternative employment from Monday.
The union said the decision is in response to Dangote
refinery’s alleged prevention of its compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tanker
drivers from “joining labour unions”.
However, the federal government, on September 7, appealed to
the union to shelve the strike over its consequential effect on the economy.
Addressing the situation in a statement, Dingyadi said the
industrial action would cripple the petroleum sector, the backbone of the
Nigerian economy and inflict hardship on citizens.
On September 8, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners
Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) said the federal government’s intervention has
yielded positive results in the dispute between both parties.
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