Ndume Slams NUPENG: ‘Before Dangote’s Refinery, What Did You Do With Govt Licenses?

Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has waded into the ongoing standoff between oil marketers and Dangote Refinery, accusing some industry players of deliberately attempting to tarnish the refinery’s image.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ndume alleged that certain marketers were ganging up against Dangote by spreading false claims of monopoly, despite failing to establish refineries themselves even after receiving government licences in the past.

He urged stakeholders to put aside needless media wars and focus on collaboration for the benefit of Nigerians.

Naija News recalls that Dangote Refinery has been at loggerheads with the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN). While NUPENG recently embarked on industrial action over Dangote’s alleged refusal to unionize its truck drivers, DAPPMAN accused the refinery of stifling competition by offering cheaper products to foreign traders while sidelining Nigerian marketers.

Although the federal government has convened a reconciliatory meeting, the dispute remains unresolved, with both sides trading accusations.

Ndume, however, cautioned against “poisonous media narratives” aimed at discrediting Dangote, stressing that such actions could discourage future investments in Nigeria’s oil sector.

“I urge NUPENG, PENGASSAN, and other stakeholders to embrace constructive dialogue with Dangote instead of inciting division. Our goal should be balancing labour rights with national development, not leaving ordinary Nigerians at the mercy of avoidable tussles,” Ndume said.

The lawmaker recalled that as far back as 2002, government issued 12 refinery licences, followed by another nine in 2007, yet none of the licensees delivered on their promises. Even under Buhari’s administration, modular refinery licences were granted, but only a handful were developed.

“Before Dangote took the risk, others were handed licences but did nothing except cash in on crude oil allocations. Those same people are now crying monopoly. That’s unfair. This is a deregulated market — no one has special concessions over others,” he argued.

Ndume also called on regulators, including the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to ensure disputes do not disrupt the distribution of petroleum products across the country.