Ali Ndume, the Senator representing Borno South, has urged oil industry stakeholders, particularly labour unions and marketers, to resolve their differences with the Dangote Refinery through constructive dialogue rather than confrontation.
Ndume’s appeal comes amid a lingering standoff between the management of the refinery, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).
NUPENG recently declared an industrial action, shutting down depots over the alleged refusal of the refinery to allow truck drivers to join the union, a right protected under the Trade Union Act.
On its part, DAPPMAN accused the refinery of stifling competition by offering its products to international traders at cheaper rates than to Nigerian marketers.
Although the Department of State Services (DSS) has since intervened in the dispute involving Dangote and junior workers in the sector, Ndume expressed concern over what he described as “a poisonous media narrative” aimed at tarnishing the image of the refinery.
The senator, representing Borno South, recalled how previous administrations issued several refinery licenses to private operators without any meaningful investment.
He contrasted that with Dangote’s decision to take the risk of establishing a multibillion-dollar refinery.
“Before Dangote took the risk to build his refinery, previous administrations had granted licenses to many Nigerians. What did they do with it? Some only cashed in on crude oil allocations,” he said.
Licenses were first granted to 12 private operators as far back as 2002.
“Another round came in 2007, and during the Buhari administration, modular refinery licenses were also issued. Yet, few if any of those operators scratched the surface.
“Those parading themselves as fuel importers today failed to seize the opportunity.”
On accusations of monopoly, Ndume argued that deregulation under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had opened the market to fair competition.
“It is wrong to talk about monopoly in a deregulated industry.
“No deliberate bottlenecks exist against anyone, and no player has been given concessions at the expense of others,” he said.
The lawmaker also called on the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to play a more active role in ensuring that disputes do not disrupt fuel distribution.
“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.
“Our common goal should be to balance labour rights with the imperatives of national development and not put ordinary citizens at the receiving end of a needless power tussle,” Ndume said
