A peace agreement brokered by the Department of State Services between Dangote Refinery and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers suffered a major setback after union members stopped loading fuel at the refinery on Thursday.
The dispute arose when Dangote company ordered its drivers to remove all union stickers from their trucks, prompting NUPENG leadership to halt operations at the refinery’s loading bay.
National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, Yusuf Othman, has called on Dangote Group CEO Aliko Dangote to consider the interests of other players in the energy sector rather than pushing them out of business.
Speaking in an interview with Channels TV from 29:07, Othman urged the business mongul to adopt a more inclusive approach that allows space for existing stakeholders. “What we are saying is that Alhaji Dangote should live and let other people live. There is nothing like inefficiency in the system. No. When they brought BRT buses in Lagos, did they clear the danfos? People live on these things. And if they are going to fizzle out, it’s gradually. Not just to come and say, okay, everybody should go because the big brother is around,” he stated.
The NARTO President stated that most commentators lack a comprehensive understanding of the actual situation between Dangote and NUPENG. According to him, the matter represents a complete takeover of the entire industry.
He referred to states like Cross River and Rivers, which house numerous depots, along with other states that maintain significant depot infrastructure. The NARTO leader argued that the strategy aims to systematically dismantle all industry participants.
He explained that when combined, the total investment by individuals in the downstream sector far exceeds any single investment. He warned that all stakeholders face potential collapse as a result of the current developments….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>
