By Adamu Aliyu
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has dismissed as false and malicious recent allegations circulating on social media that its officials are involved in petroleum smuggling, illegal levies, and sabotage of government refineries.
In a circular to members, the union described the claims as a “coordinated campaign of blackmail, distortion of facts, and outright misinformation” aimed at tarnishing its image.
“Some faceless individuals, angered by our victories in unionisation struggles, are now spreading lies to malign our activities,” NUPENG stated. “Allegations that we collect ₦1 on every litre of petroleum products or operate as part of a cabal are nothing but propaganda.”
The union stressed that several associations operate at petroleum depots—including the Truck Owners Association, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and the Major Marketers Association—all of which collect dues from members. However, NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch often appears more prominent, making the union an easy target.
According to NUPENG, dues paid by tanker drivers are used for critical services such as:
Safety training: Quarterly programmes with FRSC, police, fire service, and other agencies.
Health insurance: A scheme with Leadway Health Insurance to cover drivers who transport highly flammable products without employer-provided medical support.
Highway security: Funding of security agencies to protect drivers from hijackers and kidnappers.
Union administration: Support for day-to-day operations and welfare of members.
The union argued that unlike strikes by ASUU, NASU, or NMA, which often attract sympathy, any industrial action by tanker drivers immediately provokes public anger because it disrupts fuel supply and economic activities.
“Employers dislike negotiating with us, and the public resents the impact of our strikes. That is why everything negative is thrown at us,” the union noted.
NUPENG maintained that the so-called “depot collections scandal” was a smear campaign orchestrated to weaken its influence and mislead the public.
“The truth is, we command respect and wield considerable influence, and that makes some people uncomfortable. The ongoing blackmail is simply an attempt to discredit us in the court of public opinion,” the statement concluded.
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