FG, Labour Union Closed-Door Meeting on NUPENG, Dangote Wahala End Without Agreement

The closed-door meeting wey Federal Government organise to settle beef between Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Dangote Group don end without solution. Di meeting wey Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi, and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, lead, na effort to stop NUPENG planned strike. Di meeting gather NUPENG national executives, officials from Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), plus Ogbugo Ukoha from Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and reps from Dangote Group and MRS Petroleum. NUPENG don announce say dem go stop work from September 8, protesting how Dangote Refinery dey stop their compressed natural gas (CNG) tanker drivers from joining union. Even though Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) no support di strike, NUPENG talk say dem still go do am.

FG worry about how di strike go affect economy and beg NUPENG make dem rethink. Dingyadi appeal make NUPENG suspend strike and allow dialogue, and also call NLC to withdraw red alert wey dem give affiliate unions for solidarity action. E talk say petroleum sector na core for economy and any strike fit cause billions in revenue loss plus serious wahala for Nigerians. Minister promise say dem go resolve di matter peacefully to keep peace for petroleum sector. Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, support NUPENG, say Dangote policy dey against Nigeria Constitution, Trade Union Act, and international human rights agreements. But Minister of State for Health, Isaq Salako, warn say strike go affect hospitals wey depend on fuel generators, making health sector suffer. Salako appeal to both sides to show restraint for public interest.