The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2023 Rivers election, Tonye Cole, has issued a stark warning that Nigerians cannot afford another fuel scarcity. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Friday, Cole emphasized the dire situation many citizens are already facing.
“Nigerians cannot afford another scarcity of fuel today. People are already in such a difficult situation, and another crisis would only worsen their suffering,” he stated.
Cole highlighted the government’s swift intervention to mediate between Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), noting that preventing disruption was critical to citizens’ welfare.
In discussing the role of unions, Cole remarked, “In a democracy, unions remain a necessary balance. They give workers a strong lobbying voice, while the government must represent the interests of the people.”
When asked about the handling of the situation by Dangote Refinery, he insisted, “If they signed an agreement, integrity demands that they honour it, or call all parties to renegotiate.”
Cole also expressed concerns over the potential for monopoly in Nigeria’s fuel market, stating, “Competition makes businesses stronger and benefits citizens most. Monopoly is extremely dangerous and unacceptable.” He cautioned that using government forces to eliminate competitors would ultimately harm citizens and the economy.
Meanwhile, barely 48 hours after suspending a nationwide strike, NUPENG accused Dangote Refinery of failing to uphold its commitments. In a statement signed by President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, the union warned of a possible resumption of industrial action.
“We are placing our members on red alert for the resumption of the suspended strike,” the statement read, calling for solidarity from labor groups and civil society.
NUPENG alleged that Dangote Refinery instructed truck drivers to remove union stickers from their vehicles, despite a prior agreement made at the DSS office. The union urged the Federal Government to prevent security agencies from being misused against workers’ rights.
At the meeting where the agreement was reached, representatives from NUPENG, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) were present. The MoU signed at the DSS meeting mandated immediate unionization and ensured that no worker would face repercussions for joining a union.
The dispute initially arose when NUPENG claimed that Dangote Refinery was hiring new drivers with the stipulation that they not join the union. Dangote’s management dismissed these allegations as “cheap blackmail,” asserting that operations continued normally and there was no fuel shortage during the strike.
As Africa’s largest refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, Dangote aims to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petrol. While it has contributed to lowering petrol prices, its dominance has raised concerns about monopolistic practices and tensions with over 20,000 existing tanker operators.
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