By Atoyebi Nike
Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has cautioned labour unions and oil marketers against what he called attempts to “demonise” the Dangote Refinery.
The warning follows disputes with the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN). While NUPENG accused the refinery of blocking drivers’ union rights, DAPPMAN alleged it was stifling competition by selling cheaper to foreign traders.
Ndume urged NUPENG, PENGASSAN and others to pursue dialogue instead of creating division. He noted that while past governments issued multiple refinery licenses, few operators built any facilities, leaving Dangote to take the risk alone.
“It is wrong to talk about monopoly in a deregulated industry,” the Borno South senator said, calling on regulators to prevent disputes from crippling fuel distribution.
