Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has officially announced that the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), created by the management of Dangote Refinery, has been disbanded.
This development comes as part of the resolutions reached between NUPENG leadership and the representatives of the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery before the suspension of the union’s strike action.
The agreement was finalized on Tuesday at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, confirming that the neutral venue allowed for broader participation, including the Minister of Finance.
NUPENG Strike Called Off Immediately
Speaking on the outcome, NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, said all disputes had been resolved, including the contentious issue of unionization at Dangote Refinery.
“We have signed the agreement, and our members have accepted the unionisation of workers in Dangote Petrochemical Refinery. The strike has been called off immediately, and petroleum tankers have resumed loading products,” Akporeha confirmed.
He further clarified allegations of hostility during negotiations, explaining that the Dangote representative did not walk out, but left briefly due to health reasons.
Why the DTCDA Was Disbanded
Akporeha stressed that the Dangote management had no legal right to impose or create unions, highlighting that the Ministry of Labour had already declared the DTCDA illegal.
“They brought in the DTCDA, which they don’t have the right to do. Going forward, no management should force or impose any union on workers. Workers must freely decide their own representation,” he said.
Key Takeaways
DTCDA disbanded: The new association created by Dangote Refinery has been declared illegal.
Strike suspension: NUPENG has officially called off its industrial action.
Union rights protected: Workers at Dangote Refinery will now be free to join NUPENG without interference.
The resolution marks a significant turning point in the ongoing labour relations between Dangote Refinery and NUPENG, ensuring smoother operations in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.