By Peter Omopo
The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called off its two-day strike following a crucial meeting with the Dangote Group on Tuesday.
NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with journalists, stating that the agreement was reached after the Dangote refinery team, led by Sayyu Dantata, consented to unionise its drivers.
“We have suspended the strike. The Dangote refinery has agreed to unionise its drivers. We signed an agreement,” Akporeha said.
The meeting, according to him, was convened by the Department of State Services (DSS) to resolve the standoff.
The strike action had disrupted fuel supply nationwide after tanker drivers refused to load products over alleged plans by the Dangote refinery to prevent its recruited drivers from joining the union. The Federal Government had earlier appealed for restraint, but NUPENG insisted the action would proceed.
On Monday, compliance with the strike directive was total, as fuel depots in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Delta State were grounded. The Aradel refinery in Obele and the Kwale Hydrocarbon facility were also shut down. NUPENG officials monitored depots to enforce compliance, with trucks parked while awaiting fresh directives.
The suspension of the strike is expected to ease fuel scarcity concerns and restore normalcy to loading operations across the country.
