Lagos, Nigeria – E be like say wahala don show for oil sector as tanker drivers, wey belong to Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), don threaten say dem go stop fuel loading. Dem dey vex for how Dangote refinery wan import 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks come dey distribute fuel direct to retailers. Although dem plan start di scheme on August 15, logistics wahala for China don delay am.
According to NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, di refinery management no dey play correct as dem accuse dem of anti-labour practices wey fit affect di livelihood of member drivers. Dem don dey shout say Aliko Dangote, wey be di founder of di refinery, talk say new drivers wey go work for di imported trucks no go fit join any union. Na wah! Dis one na serious matter because e dey violate di constitutional right of drivers to belong to union.
Di union don try reach out to Dangote several times because dem no wan wahala, but dem say, “Alhaji Dangote, abeg make we manage am well o.” Unfortunately, na so dia gisting reach and nothing don change. NUPENG don yarn say as from Monday, September 8, dem go stop all loading of petroleum products across di nation if dis matter no clear.
Dem also dey warn say if Dangote no fit follow correct ways, many tanker drivers go begin look for alternative jobs. Dem dey carry di matter serious as dem appeal to public make dem bear any wahala wey fit come as dem dey fight for correct treatment!
In di statement wey NUPENG release, dem clarify say, “We stand by Dangote during im refinery construction, thinking say e go sabi create jobs, but na disappointment wey come follow am. Alhaji Dangote don tarnish di trust wey we get for am.” Dem don even call on regulatory bodies to take action make sure say di situation no go turn fire for bush.
As e be now, Dangote refinery get $20 billion project wey fit pump 650,000 barrels per day, di plan to bring in CNG trucks dey cause serious headache for di tanker drivers. If di matter no resolve quick-quick, e fit lead to fuel scarcity, wey go cause wahala for everybody. But we dey hear say Dangote people no don gree respond to di union’s statement. So, make we dey watch di space as dis drama go unfold!
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