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Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) has accused the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of extorting tanker owners and imposing excessive levies in the downstream petroleum sector.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, ADITOP’s National President, Alhaji Lawal Dan-zaki, condemned NUPENG’s practices amid its reported strike action.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NUPENG’s strike follows its claims of “anti-labour practices” by Dangote Refinery, particularly the refinery’s refusal to allow its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck drivers to join trade unions. NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) arm threatened a nationwide fuel scarcity by halting the loading of petroleum products from depots starting Monday.
Dan-zaki distanced ADITOP from the strike, stating that the association was established to curb NUPENG’s overreach, alongside its PTD arm and other levy-collecting entities operating under NUPENG’s umbrella.
“NUPENG, PTD, and their affiliates extort ADITOP members and depot owners by charging N1 per litre for every product loaded at depots, plus an additional N1 per litre from marketers,” he alleged.
“On top of this, they impose loading fees of N80,000 to N100,000 per truck. This is blatant extortion and economic sabotage.”
He further claimed that these unions disrupt the supply chain, holding tanker owners hostage with excessive levies and resorting to strikes when challenged.
Dan-zaki revealed that over the past five years, ADITOP has lodged complaints with the Inspector-General of Police, Department of State Security Services, National Security Advisor, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, with some petitions already addressed.
“NUPENG profits from these extortions while contributing no taxes to the Federal Government,” Dan-zaki added.
He called on the government to back the Dangote Group against NUPENG’s tactics, urging decisive action to address the union’s alleged exploitation in the downstream sector.
Source: NationalAccordNewspaper | Read the Full Story…
