In a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja, Ndume urged the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and other industry players to stop fueling division with media attacks.
“I urge NUPENG, PENGASSAN, and all concerned stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue with Dangote rather than inciting division and undue sensationalism in the media,” Ndume said.
The intervention comes after NUPENG staged an industrial action that led to depot closures, protesting the Dangote Refinery’s refusal to allow its truck drivers to join the union as guaranteed under the Trade Union Act. Similarly, DAPPMAN accused the refinery of anti-competitive practices, alleging it sells fuel to international traders at cheaper rates than it does to local marketers.
Ndume described the situation as an “unhealthy media war” aimed at discrediting Africa’s largest refinery. He reminded Nigerians that before Dangote took the bold step to establish his refinery, several administrations had granted multiple refinery licenses to private operators, most of whom failed to act.
“Licenses were granted to 12 private operators as far back as 2002 to build refineries and reduce dependence on imported fuel. Another round followed in 2007, yet nothing meaningful was achieved. Even during the Buhari administration, licenses for modular refineries were issued, but how many scratched the surface?” Ndume asked.
The senator argued that those now presenting themselves as fuel importers failed to invest in domestic refining capacity but are now uniting to accuse Dangote of monopolisation.
“Our common goal should be to balance labour rights with the imperatives of national development, not putting ordinary citizens at the receiving end of a needless power tussle,” he stressed.
