By Victor Ahiuma-Young & Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA — The meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, to resolve the dispute between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Group has ended in a deadlock.
The talks, which sought to address disagreements over unionisation and related labour issues, collapsed after both sides failed to reach consensus on key demands.
Although the Dangote Group reportedly conceded to allow workers at its refinery and petrochemical plants to join NUPENG, the drafting of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) became the major stumbling block.
According to insiders, the Dangote team allegedly attempted to introduce clauses described as “offensive,” which labour leaders feared could be used against workers in the event of industrial action. This prompted the NUPENG delegation, supported by representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to walk out of the session twice.
The meeting, which began at about 5:05 p.m., was attended by Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The Dangote Group was represented by Sayyu Cantata and Otunba Jibrin, while NUPENG’s team was led by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale. Also in attendance were Trade Union Congress (TUC) Secretary General, Dr. Nuhu Toro, and Shehu Mohammed, alongside NLC officials Benson Upah, Onyeka Chris, Echezona Azuzu, and Opaluwa Simon.
As of press time, the stalemate remained unresolved, raising concerns over the next phase of the standoff between the oil workers’ union and the industrial giant.
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