NUPENG reforms: Petrol attendants, others demand inclusion, decry marginalisation

From Sola Ojo, Abuja

Concerned Petrol Station Workers (PSWs) across Nigeria have called on the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to urgently include them in the ongoing union reforms.

They warned that their continued exclusion undermines fair representation in the oil and gas sector.

The Convener, Ibrahim Zango yesterday, expressed concern over what he described as persistent marginalisation in the union’s restructuring processes, including zonal elections and preparations for a national conference.

The group acknowledged NUPENG’s ongoing efforts to reposition itself through leadership restructuring and institutional reforms but argued that such efforts would remain incomplete without the formal integration of petrol station workers, who he described as a critical mass within the downstream petroleum sector.

“Despite being one of the largest and most visible segments of the downstream workforce, petrol station workers remain largely unstructured, insufficiently protected and inadequately integrated into the union’s decision-making architecture,” the statement said.

The workers noted that while NUPENG’s jurisdiction covers the entire downstream value chain, including filling stations, PSWs continue to face poor welfare conditions, weak organisational structures and limited representation within the union.

They further highlighted the vulnerability of petrol station workers, citing issues such as exploitation, poor remuneration and lack of social protection, adding that their exclusion contradicts the core principles of unionisation and collective bargaining.

The group described the ongoing reforms within NUPENG as a ‘historic opportunity’ to address longstanding imbalances and ensure inclusivity across all segments of the workforce.

To this end, the workers outlined key demands, including the formal recognition and structuring of PSWs across all zones, inclusion of their representatives in zonal elections and national conference processes and the development of targeted policies to improve their welfare, safety and rights.

They also called for the establishment of a clear framework for the organisation, registration and protection of petrol station workers nationwide.

“We reaffirm our commitment to constructive engagement, industrial harmony and the collective progress of all workers within the oil and gas sector,” the statement added.