The meeting held on Monday between the Federal Government, leaders of the Nigeria Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Dangote Group, and other industry players ended without a solution.
The talks were arranged to settle the ongoing disagreement between NUPENG and Dangote Group, but the meeting, which was supposed to start by 3pm on Tuesday, eventually began after 5pm.
So far, no official statement has been released by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, NUPENG president Williams Akporeha, or the Dangote Group on the outcome of the discussions.
Before the meeting, Minister Dingyadi explained that the goal was to resolve the conflict between the union and the Dangote Group, adding that such disputes are not new in the oil sector.
An industry insider revealed that the discussions seem to have ended without any agreement, though more details may become clear by Tuesday.
The president of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abubakar Maigandi, called on both parties to find a lasting solution for the sake of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, NUPENG began enforcing its strike on Monday by shutting down several fuel depots and filling stations in Lagos and Warri in protest against the Dangote Group.
In Warri, reports confirmed that transport fares have already increased due to the strike.
In Abuja, fuel prices remained steady between N885 and N910 per litre on Monday night, except at Empire Filling Station where it was sold at N950.
However, more trouble may be on the way as other groups like the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN),
NOGASA, and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) are threatening to also join the strike. This could lead to fuel scarcity and further price hikes.
NUPENG president Williams Akporeha accused the Dangote Group of anti-labour practices, pointing to its plan to introduce 4,000 compressed natural gas trucks for nationwide fuel distribution.
He claimed the policy would enslave workers, but Dangote insists it will go ahead with the move.
