The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused Sayyu Dantata, the owner of MS Group and half-brother of Aliko Dangote, of attempting to intimidate its members. According to NUPENG, Dantata allegedly called on the Nigerian Navy to suppress the union’s activities. This development comes as NUPENG has issued a fresh strike alert to its members and affiliate unions, targeting Dangote Group and its associates.
The strike alert was issued by Williams Akporeha, the National President of NUPENG, in a statement on Thursday. The union claims that Dangote Group and its associates are attempting to frustrate the resolutions reached after the intervention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, and the Department of State Security. Specifically, NUPENG alleges that Dantata instructed truck drivers, who are members of the union’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers, to remove NUPENG stickers from their vehicles, contrary to the agreed-upon resolution.
The union’s statement also claims that Dantata used his helicopter to surveil NUPENG members and subsequently called in the Nigerian Navy to intervene. NUPENG has vowed to resist any attempts to suppress its activities, with the union’s statement reading, “Our members are waiting for him and his agents to run them over.”
This latest development follows a previous strike action by NUPENG, which was suspended after the union reached a resolution with Dangote Group. However, it appears that the agreement has broken down, prompting NUPENG to issue a fresh strike alert. The union’s actions are aimed at protesting Dangote Group’s alleged anti-labour practices, which NUPENG claims are unfair to its members.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between NUPENG and Dangote Group, with the union seeking to protect the rights of its members. As the strike alert takes effect, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what impact it will have on the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The union’s leadership has emphasized its commitment to defending its members’ interests, and it is likely that the situation will continue to escalate unless a resolution is reached.
