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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Nigeria’s oil and gas sector may be headed for a major crisis as the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) have declared support for the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in its nationwide strike.
NUPENG had last week announced plans to begin an industrial action from Monday, September 8, over the Dangote Refinery’s move to import 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks for direct distribution of fuel to retailers.
Although the Federal Government intervened to avert the strike, the union’s president, Williams Akporeha, said the action would proceed pending the outcome of a meeting with government officials on Monday, September 8.
Speaking at a joint press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, NOGASA President, Mr Benneth Korie, warned that members of his association would withdraw services nationwide if the issues were not resolved.
He said NOGASA was concerned that Dangote Refinery’s direct distribution plan could jeopardise thousands of jobs and destabilise the downstream sector.
“Our members have invested heavily in depots, trucks, and filling stations to keep the nation’s petroleum supply chain running. The plan to edge us out of distribution will not only destroy businesses but also threaten energy security. We have no other choice but to align with NUPENG in this struggle,” Korie stated.
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The association leader stressed that while NOGASA recognised and supported Dangote Refinery as a landmark national investment, it must not be allowed to monopolise the sector.
He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene urgently, warning that suppliers would begin withdrawing services to construction companies, hotels, and telecommunications sites from Monday if the matter was left unresolved.
On his part, PETROAN President, Mr Billy Gillis-Harry, said retail outlet owners shared similar concerns, noting that the refinery’s plan could trigger widespread hardship and undermine sustainability in the sector.
“Dangote Refinery is our pride, but it must succeed with us, not against us. Retail outlets have existed for decades, and any attempt to bypass them will wipe out investments, shut down jobs, and cripple small businesses,” Gillis-Harry said.
He maintained that PETROAN members would not abandon their workers if NUPENG’s strike goes ahead, declaring: “If this matter is not resolved, our outlet owners will simply close shop. Without our pump station workers, there can be no distribution to the public.”
He urged government regulators, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council, to urgently convene a stakeholders’ meeting with Dangote Refinery to clarify roles and avert the looming crisis.
