Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector to support one another rather than engage in conflicts that could harm the nation’s economy.
Ndume made the appeal following tensions between Dangote Refinery management and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).
NUPENG recently staged an industrial action that led to the shutdown of oil depots, alleging that Dangote Refinery refused to allow its truck drivers to join the union—a claim they said violated the Trade Union Act. DAPPMAN, representing fuel importers, accused the refinery of attempting to stifle competition by selling products cheaper to international traders than local marketers.
The Department of State Service (DSS) intervened to broker a truce, citing potential threats to national security.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ndume expressed concern over what he described as “a poisonous media narrative” portraying Dangote negatively. He reminded Nigerians that previous administrations had granted licenses to build refineries, but few investors had acted on them.
“Before Dangote took the risk to build his refinery, previous administrations granted licenses to private operators. Many only benefited from crude oil allocations without building refineries,” Ndume said.
He added that accusations of monopoly against Dangote are misplaced in a deregulated industry, stressing that no company has received special concessions to the detriment of others.
Ndume urged regulatory agencies, including the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to intervene and prevent further conflicts.
He called on NUPENG, PENGASSAN, and other stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue with Dangote, saying: “Our common goal should be to balance labour rights with national development and not put ordinary citizens at the receiving end of a needless power tussle.”
