Dangote replies NUPENG: Our CNG trucks will create 24,000 jobs | Drivers earn triple of minimum wage

Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, says the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has not displaced jobs, instead, it is creating employment opportunities.

The billionaire spoke on Monday while addressing the dispute with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) during a press conference at the refinery.

Dangote said the deployment of 4,000 trucks powered by compressed natural gas is expected to create at least 24,000 jobs across the country.

“We have not displaced any jobs; we are creating many more. The CNG trucks will not be operated by robots,” Dangote said.

“Our employees earn salaries three times the minimum wage. Our drivers receive a living wage, life insurance, health insurance covering themselves, their spouses, and up to four children, as well as a lifelong pension.

“We are not only employing drivers but also mechanics, fleet managers, and other professionals to support the CNG fleet.”

Dangote refinery announced the acquisition of the trucks on June 15, saying it will enhance the company’s fuel distribution capacity across the country.

On June 29, the refiner said its nationwide petroleum products distribution scheme will save Nigerians over N1.7 trillion annually.

Three months later, NUPENG said workers will down their tools and commence nationwide strike in protest of alleged anti-union practices by Dangote refinery.

On September 9, NUPENG suspended its two-day strike action – but threatened another industrial action two days later.

‘DANGOTE REFINERY IS NOT AGAINST UNIONS’

Sayyu Dantata, the founder of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, said Dangote refinery is not against unionisation, and the plant was willing to collaborate with NUPENG and other stakeholders irrespective of their affiliations.

“But I want to make it categorically clear: we’re not against unions. We want to live side by side with them,” he said.

“We don’t have any problem with that. You are welcome to come here and do business.”

The businessman said, just “like any other person,” the refinery read about the allegations levelled by NUPENG in the media.

“What’s usually by law is you have to give notice over seven days, and then you give another grace period of two weeks,” he said.

“But still, we went to the meeting, and we were able to explain that union is union, basically. And I do have a very good relationship with them, because I’ve been in the oil industry for 33 years. So they’re not new to me.

“But it was just really shocking that with the relationship we have, that they couldn’t reach out to say what was happening. Unionism for me and for the country, actually, by law, is not by force.”

He said individuals are at liberty to decide what associations they want to join.

“And here, of course, here at the refinery, it doesn’t matter — Muslim, Christian, non-believer— whatever you are. Come here. We’ll give you product; pay for it and walk out. So we don’t have anything against them,” the MRS founder said.

“They have free access to come here, and they can do their business.”

He said the refinery treats its partners alike, whether union members or not, adding that “our own interest is the common man”.

“Most of our drivers are not in unions; they want to be independent because we make sure they earn a living wage,” the businessman said.

He added that for the “first time, a Nigerian will say to his children, I’m a truck driver, and he’s proud to say he’s a truck driver”.

Dantata noted that truck drivers make sufficient income to provide for meals, shelter, and schooling for their children.