Fuel price: FG, NUPENG, Dangote Meeting Ends in Deadlock

The high-level consultative meeting between the Federal Government, executives of Nigeria Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Dangote Group and other stakeholders ended in a deadlock on Monday.

Recall that the federal government had announced a meeting on Monday, September 8, to resolve the face-off between NUPENG and Dangote Group.

DAILY POST gathered that the meeting scheduled originally for 3pm Tuesday did not kick off until after 5:00pm.

No official details of the outcome of the meeting have been made public by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, the leadership of NUPENG led by Williams Akporeha, or the Dangote Group as of the time of filing this report.

Earlier, Dingyadi, speaking on the importance of Monday’s meeting, said, “We are here to try and reconcile our labour unions in the oil industry and the employers in Dangote Group. This is not the first time we are having this kind of dispute.”

However, a source and industry stakeholder told DAILY POST that the details are still sketchy, but it seems no agreement has been reached yet.

“Details are still sketchy. However, it seems there is no agreement yet. I should know from tomorrow (Tuesday),” he told DAILY POST.

The National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Maigandi, told DAILY POST in an interview on Monday that both parties need to come to a sustainable resolution for the good of all Nigerians.

Meanwhile, NUPENG, in enforcing its strike on Monday, shut down major depots and some filling stations in Lagos and Warri in protest against the Dangote Group.

In Warri, reports have emerged that the cost of transportation has increased due to the strike.

Meanwhile, DAILY POST correspondent observed that fuel prices have remained unchanged in parts of the Federal Capital Territory as of Monday night, between N885 and N910 per litre, except for Empire Filling Station, which stood at N950.

However, with the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) threatening to mobilise members to down tools, petrol scarcity may set in, and prices may go up.

Recall that NUPENG president, Akporeha, accused Dangote Group of anti-labour activities in his plan to roll out 4,000 compressed natural gas trucks for petroleum products distribution nationwide.

He said Dangote’s anti-labour policy is meant to enslave workers, but the oil firm insisted on implementing its policy.