Efforts by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) to resolve the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over alleged anti-union practices at the Dangote Refinery collapsed on Monday in Abuja.
Reports indicate that the marathon meeting, convened by Labour Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi, broke down after representatives of the Dangote Refinery walked out of negotiations with labour leaders.
Dingyadi told journalists that although some progress had been made, no agreement was reached.
“We have not been able to reach a final agreement on this matter. Negotiations will continue. Maybe by tomorrow we will resolve the issues. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace as discussions continue,” he said.
Mr Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), accused the refinery’s delegation of deliberately stalling the process.
“The representative of the Dangote Refinery walked out on the Honourable Minister and Organised Labour. So, there was no agreement. Even when we bent backwards to accommodate his uncompromising behaviour, he still did what he did. So, we are left with no choice but to do the needful. The action continues,” Upah stated.
He emphasised that labour remained open to dialogue but could not negotiate unilaterally.
“It takes more than one party to reach a resolution. Whenever the Dangote Refinery sees the need for genuine dialogue, we are ready—even this night, if they return,” he added.
NUPENG President, Mr Williams Akporeha, accused Dangote Refinery of suppressing workers’ rights while attempting to entrench monopoly in Nigeria’s energy sector.
“Dangote cannot take us back to the dark days of slavery. He wants to monopolise the entire system and even the workers. This, we say, no to,” he said.
The FMLE has assured that negotiations will continue until common ground is found.
