Strike: NARTO, NOGASA, PETROAN back NUPENG
Omeiza Bilal
The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) says it is backing the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in the ongoing struggle against monopolistic and anti-competition practices being advanced by the Dangote Group in the downstream oil and gas sector.
This is even as the Natural Oil & Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) have said that the livelihood of thousands of its members across Nigeria will be affected.
In a statement signed by NARTO National President Yusuf Lawal Othman, Monday, while acknowledging that the injection of new trucks into the downstream sector of the petroleum sector as a welcomed development, said the move by Dangote refinery is not only sustainable but also an attempt to push them out of business.
He said, “While we recognize and appreciate the injection of new trucks and other investments into the petroleum distribution value chain, we must state categorically that NARTO strongly and unequivocally rejects any plan for free distribution of petroleum products. Such an approach is not only unsustainable but is also a deliberate attempt to undermine and eliminate the thousands of independent transporters who form the backbone of Nigeria‘s petroleum distribution network.
“At present, NARTO members collectively operate more than 30,000 trucks across the country, employing thousands of drivers, assistants, and service providers. These operations sustain millions of dependents and are supported by financial commitments from both local and international banks, as well as marketers and depot owners.”
According to the NARTO President, Dangote’s plan when it begins will lead to loss of investment; destroy livelihoods; threaten national security; jeopardize energy security; and in the long run exploit consumers.
“To ignore this provision is to endanger fair competition, consumer protection, and the overall health of the Nigerian economy,” Yusuf said.
He therefore called on the federal government and its relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Dangote Group itself to immediately create a forum for meaningful dialogue among all stakeholders.
“Such a platform must be aimed at ensuring that no operator is strangulated, that fair competition is guaranteed, and that the welfare of millions of Nigerians who depend on the petroleum transport and distribution sector is safeguarded.
“NARTO reaffirms its total support for NUPENG in this struggle and emphasizes that our collective action is not against investment or industrial growth but against monopolistic practices that threaten jobs, national security, and the broader Nigerian economy,” the NARTO helmsman explained.
Speaking at a joint press briefing on Monday in Abuja, NOGASA President Bennet Korie insisted that it would not hesitate in teaming up with the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) if the matter is not quickly resolved.
During its Annual General Meeting held in July, the Association had warned that plans of Dangote Petroleum Refinery to commence the distribution of their own petroleum products using a fleet of 4,000 trucks, would lead to loss of supply opportunities and job losses that could jeopardize the livelihoods of those involved across the distribution value chain.
“We will lose all our business. We don’t want to sack one single staff, or one single of our workers.
“We don’t want to sack anyone. And that’s why we are crying now for the government to come into this matter, resolve this matter and make it clear.
“In solidarity with NUPENG and other stakeholders if this situation remains unresolved. It is hereby directed that all oil and gas suppliers to all construction companies, industries, hotels and telecommunication sites nationwide should withdraw the services with effects from tomorrow 9th September 2025 pending when the matter is resolved.
“As suppliers of petroleum products, we remain committed to protecting our businesses while serving the nation’s interests. Given the urgency of this matter, we find ourselves with no other choice but to consider withdrawing our services nationwide,” Korie warned.
On his part, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, cautioned that Nigerians should not be carried away by the short-term benefit of the planned rollout of 4,000 trucks by Dangote Refinery saying it is unsustainable.
“Nigerians want to clap for a short-term benefit of a company rolling out 4,000 trucks to products. So, 4,000 trucks will go to 4,000 stations, and how much, for how long will that take place? We need to ask ourselves the question: did we not see the same trucks loading our cement to the various cement kiosks across the country? Has it reduced the price? So, we need to protect this industry so that our energy security will be guaranteed, and that is why PETROAN has directed that any NUPENG member that is working with all our retail outlets will joins in the strike, if the matter is not resolved tomorrow or today,” Gillis-Harry said.
