Prioritise Push For Refineries’ Revival, Dangote Ties, Outlets Owners Task New NUPENG Leader

Owners of petroleum retail outlets have urged the newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to champion the push for the revival of the moribund state-owned refineries and strengthen ties with the Dangote Refinery to stabilise fuel supply across the country.

At the election which took place during a delegate conference in Lagos on April 24, Dr. Salimon Oladiti emerged as its new president of NUPENG).
Speaking under the aegis of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) retail outlet owners,
tasked the new NUPENG leadership with advocating for the revival and full operation of government-owned refineries. He stated that this would foster competition, curb monopolies, generate jobs, enhance energy security, and reduce reliance on imported products.
PETROAN also called for a strengthened relationship with the Dangote Refinery to support operational stability, fair market practices, and industry growth.
The association voiced confidence in Dr. Oladiti’s ability to promote industrial harmony and protect interests in the downstream sector.
Speaking on behalf of the association, the national president of PETROAN, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, described the development as a major consolidation within the
downstream petroleum sector. He noted that Comrade Oladiti’s emergence represented continuity, unity, and a renewed commitment to collaboration among
key industry stakeholders.
PETROAN expressed confidence that under the new leadership, the welfare of petroleum workers will be further strengthened, while the collective voice of stakeholders will become more vibrant and influential in advancing national
development.
Dr Gillis-Harry also commended the outstanding service of the outgoing president, Comrade Williams Akporeha, noting that his tenure witnessed achievements, including improved staff welfare, salary enhancements, infrastructural development such as the NUPENG national
headquarters, and the maintenance of industrial peace and a stable working
environment.
He reaffirmed PETROAN’s commitment to continued partnership with NUPENG in promoting efficiency, stability, and shared prosperity across
Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He further urged the new NUPENG President to champion strong and sustained advocacy for the revival and full operationalisation of Nigeria’s government-owned
refineries, emphasising that restoring these refineries will promote healthy competition in the downstream sector, prevent monopolistic dominance, create
employment opportunities across the value chain, and significantly boost national economic development. He stressed that functional refineries will also enhance energy security and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
In addition, PETROAN encouraged the new NUPENG leadership to consolidate a productive and mutually beneficial relationship with the Dangote Refinery, noting
that strong collaboration between organised labour and major refining operators is essential for operational stability, fair market practices, and the overall growth
of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
PETROAN remains confident that under Comrade Oladiti’s leadership, NUPENG
will continue to foster industrial harmony, deepen stakeholder engagement, and protect the collective interests of workers and operators in the downstream
petroleum sector.