Deadlock: Dangote Refinery, NUPENG Fail to Reach Agreement

A marathon meeting convened by the Federal Government to resolve the strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over alleged anti-union practices at the Dangote Refinery ended in stalemate at dawn.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the emergency meeting, called by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, was held on Monday in Abuja in an effort to avert the planned industrial action.

The talks were expected to address NUPENG’s allegations of anti-labour practices by the refinery. However, discussions broke down after representatives of Dangote Refinery reportedly walked out of the meeting.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi, who presided over the talks, admitted that progress was slow.

“We have not been able to reach final agreement on this matter. Negotiations will continue.

“Maybe by tomorrow, we will resolve the issues. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace as discussions continue,” he said.

The minister assured all parties that the government remained committed to finding common ground.

Mr. Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), accused the Dangote delegation of frustrating the process.

“The representative of the Dangote Refinery walked out on the Honourable Minister and Organised Labour. So, there was no agreement.

“Even, when we bent backwards to accommodate his uncompromising behaviour, he still did what he did.

“So, we are left with no choice than to do the needful. The action continues,” Upah said.

He added that the labour movement remained open to dialogue but could not negotiate in isolation.

“It takes more than one party to reach a resolution.

“Whenever the Dangote Refinery sees the need for genuine dialogue, we are ready, even this night, if they return,” he said.

NUPENG President, Mr. Williams Akporeha, accused the refinery of trying to suppress workers’ rights while consolidating its dominance in Nigeria’s energy sector.

According to him, the union’s action was in the interest of Nigerians.

“We cannot stand an investor whose main purpose is to enslave Nigerians.

“Dangote cannot take us back to the dark days of slavery,” he added.

He further alleged that the refinery was denying employees their right to unionise.

“Nigerians have wished him well. He should not enslave them.

“He wants to monopolise the entire system and even the workers. This, we say, No to,” he said.