By Deborah Nnamdi
Fuel scarcity worsened across Rivers and Delta states on Tuesday as filling stations shut down following a nationwide strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over an alleged anti-union policy by Dangote Refinery.
The shutdown immediately triggered panic buying and profiteering, with black marketers selling petrol at exorbitant rates. In Port Harcourt, a litre of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) sold for between N2,000 and N2,500, while in Effurun and Warri, Delta State, black-market prices surged from N950–N1,000 to about N1,500 per litre.
Commuters bore the brunt as transport fares spiked. A short intra-city drop in Port Harcourt that previously cost N200 now goes for N300, while the Mile One–Rumokoro route jumped from N500 to N700. Many stranded passengers were seen trekking long distances to offices and business locations.
NUPENG officials had on Monday halted product loading across depots, protesting Dangote Refinery’s alleged ban on workers’ unionism. The Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor, confirmed the development, declaring full support for NUPENG.
“What Dangote is doing to disrupt the workers’ freedom of association is highly condemned. We stand firmly by NUPENG in fighting for workers’ welfare,” he said.
At the Port Harcourt Refinery, NUPENG representative Uche Udenwa stressed that the strike would continue until government addressed their concerns. “If all the issues are met, the strike won’t last long, but if not, it continues,” he noted.
The industrial action has spilled into Delta State, where motorists lamented that some stations that remained open either refused to sell fuel or adjusted their pumps. In Bomadi, petrol reportedly sold for N940 per litre, but motorists claimed 10 litres dispensed actually measured less than 8 litres.
Meanwhile, efforts by the federal government to resolve the dispute ended in a deadlock on Monday night. A peace meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, with Dangote Group and union leaders broke down after the refinery’s representatives allegedly attempted to introduce “offensive clauses” into the agreement. The Dangote team reportedly walked out of the session, prompting unions to reaffirm their strike stance.
The minister, while urging restraint, cautioned that the oil industry is too strategic to be toyed with, expressing optimism that talks would resume.
In a show of solidarity, allied groups including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN), Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) have threatened to withdraw services nationwide if the impasse lingers.
Compounding the crisis, reports indicate that Dangote Refinery’s gasoline unit remains offline due to technical faults, with repairs expected to take at least two weeks—raising fears of a prolonged supply squeeze.
As of press time, filling stations across Rivers and Delta remained shut, black marketers made brisk sales, and commuters faced spiraling transport costs, heightening concerns of a full-blown nationwide fuel crisis.
