The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has described Dangote Refinery’s plan to distribute free petrol as a “Greek gift,” suggesting the move could undermine other industry players.

Dangote Refinery announced on Thursday that it would begin direct, free petrol supply in 11 states.

In a statement on Friday, signed by NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union accused the refinery of attempting to edge out other employers of petroleum truck drivers, raising concerns about unfair market disruption.

“Nigerians should not be deceived by the offer of free nationwide delivery of petroleum products to dispensing stations. It is a GREEK GIFT to ensure that other employers of Petroleum Truck Drivers are unable to employ drivers so that only those employed by the company who are forced to join the DTCDA will remain in employment. Everything is targeted at crushing NUPENG and its PTD Branch,” they said.

NUPENG further alleged that Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company management has been blocking operational and administrative workers from exercising their right to join the union.

The union urged Nigerians not to “support a work arrangement in which drivers and other workers in the Dangote Group are denied the right to freedom of association and unionisation.”

On September 11, NUPENG placed all its members on red alert ahead of the possible resumption of its suspended nationwide industrial action, which was triggered by a recent altercation between its members and MRS Oil drivers.

On the same day, Dangote Refinery dismissed NUPENG’s claim that drivers were being forced to waive their union rights, clarifying that the dispute pertains only to the association’s petrol tanker drivers unit.

NUPENG, in response, rejected the refinery’s statement, calling it an “unfounded fabricated lie from the pit of hell.”

The union further alleged that Dangote Refinery has been sponsoring a division within the PTD branch of NUPENG since 2023.