The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has strongly criticized the Dangote Group’s recent reduction in fuel prices, describing the move as a calculated attempt to undermine the country’s downstream sector.

In a statement issued on Friday, NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, claimed that the refinery’s decision to introduce free nationwide delivery of petrol to filling stations was not in the interest of ordinary Nigerians. According to him, the initiative was designed to weaken independent operators and force truck drivers to rely solely on the company’s system.

“This so-called free delivery is nothing but a trap,” the union said. “It’s aimed at eliminating competition and leaving only drivers tied to the Dangote Transport Company Drivers Association in employment. The endgame is to cripple NUPENG and its Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch.”

The Dangote Group had earlier announced that, beginning Monday, September 15, it would roll out a new retail and ex-depot pricing template across the country. The development saw petrol prices fall at several of its outlets, sparking widespread public attention.

However, NUPENG, which had recently threatened to embark on industrial action over unresolved issues with the refinery, accused the company of reneging on earlier agreements. The union insisted that the strategy was targeted at shutting out other players in the petroleum distribution chain.

Dangote Refinery, on its part, dismissed the accusations, stating that it has not barred workers from unionising and that its fuel distribution scheme was structured to ease supply challenges nationwide.