Dangote Refinery has thrown an open invitation to tanker drivers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), saying those seeking higher pay should switch to its operations.
The refinery’s management, in a statement on Monday, declared: “Any NUPENG driver who wants more money can come to drive for us.”
The move comes on the same day Dangote announced it had begun free delivery of petrol to filling stations across several states, a bold step aimed at easing distribution costs for marketers.
This development follows weeks of tension between the refinery and NUPENG. The union had recently embarked on a strike, accusing Dangote of attempting to suppress union activities and marginalize existing tanker drivers, especially with its new plan to deploy thousands of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks for fuel distribution.
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Though the strike was suspended after government intervention and a Memorandum of Understanding guaranteeing workers’ right to unionize, NUPENG leaders remain cautious, warning Dangote to honor the deal.
Industry analysts say the refinery’s latest statement may further heighten rivalry with the union, as drivers weigh the promise of better pay against loyalty to their union.
Dangote’s free fuel delivery plan currently covers Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Kwara states, with petrol delivered at between N841 and N851 per litre, while waiving transportation costs.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on how NUPENG will respond to Dangote’s latest challenge.