By Olakunle Oke
The Nigerian Liquefied & Compressed Gases Association (NLCGA) has declared support for the Dangote Refinery in its ongoing dispute with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), accusing the union of extortion and disruptive practices.
In a statement, the association alleged that tanker drivers loading Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at terminals nationwide are compelled to pay illegal charges of up to ₦72,000 per truck, compared with less than ₦30,000 two years ago. It estimated that the unrecorded levies exceed ₦3 billion annually, worsening the rising cost of cooking gas despite government’s push for affordability.
At the heart of the dispute is the issue of unionization. While NUPENG accuses Dangote Refinery of anti-union practices, the refinery maintains that it upholds constitutionally guaranteed labour rights. Despite a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), NLCGA claimed NUPENG has continued to disrupt operations, warning that such actions risk triggering fuel shortages and wider economic instability.
Expressing solidarity with Dangote Refinery, NLCGA urged NUPENG to respect agreements and embrace dialogue, while calling on government to step in and curb what it described as “illegal practices carried out under the guise of unionism.”
“The government must act to protect Nigerian workers and the broader economy, ensuring that union activities remain within the bounds of the law and do not undermine the nation’s stability,” said Lanrewaju Baiyewu, Executive Secretary/CEO of NLCGA.