Dangote Refinery has assured that the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) will not lead to a fuel shortage in the country.
The refinery’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, gave this reassurance on Tuesday.
According to report, the strike began on Monday and has gained backing from various unions within and outside Nigeria. Despite this, the refinery — the largest in Africa — is currently employing its own drivers to transport fuel to retailers.
“There is no fuel shortage, everything is going on,” Chiejina said, adding that talks were continuing between the union, the government, and the company.
Recall that prior to last year’s opening of the Dangote refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, Nigeria had to import almost all its petrol despite being a major oil producer.
Meanwhile, critics have pointed to years of neglect and mismanagement of government-owned refineries.
The refinery has driven down prices of petrol for consumers while also shaking up long-entrenched players in Nigeria’s oil sector, marred by decades of corruption.
However, it has also triggered monopoly fears as it becomes a powerful player backed by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.
Last month, the refinery was set to deploy a fleet of thousands of trucks powered by compressed natural gas to distribute its petrol nationwide, an initiative that has been delayed due to logistics issues.
NUPENG launched its strike Monday, alleging that Dangote’s new drivers were being hired on the condition they do not join the union, allegations disputed by Dangote.
