NUPENG Raises Alarm Over Polarization in Nigeria's Oil Transport Sector

[toluwalopesong]

NUPENG Raises Alarm Over Polarization in Nigeria's Oil Transport Sector

NUPENG leadership addresses concerns regarding the polarization in the oil transport sector. (Image credit: Oriental News Nigeria)

In a critical statement, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has expressed deep concerns regarding the emerging polarization within the oil industry transport sector. The union has urged stakeholders to refrain from recognizing a new association, the Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP), which they deem illegitimate. NUPENG's leadership, represented by President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, issued this warning during a press briefing in Abuja, following ADITOP's announcement of an upcoming meeting to address the challenges facing truck owners and oil marketers in the downstream sector.

NUPENG emphasized that only established groups such as the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), and Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) are recognized as legitimate in the sector. This warning comes in the wake of increasing tensions in the oil market, particularly after the recent removal of subsidies on petroleum products, which has led to exploitative practices by some individuals within the industry.

The union underscored that NUPENG and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) are the only legally recognized umbrella bodies for oil and gas workers in Nigeria, which have collective bargaining agreements in place to protect workers' rights, particularly those of petroleum tanker drivers. NUPENG reiterated its support for NARTO as the legitimate representative of transporters, cautioning the public and government entities to disregard invitations from the new association.

The union's leadership urged stakeholders in the oil sector to be vigilant and to prioritize collaborations with recognized associations that have a proven track record in advocating for the interests of workers and operators within the industry. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities within Nigeria's oil and gas sector, as industry players navigate the changing landscape amidst economic reforms.

NUPENG's firm stance against the recognition of ADITOP serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and cooperation among established associations to foster stability and protect the rights of all stakeholders involved in the oil transport sector.