The Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) has accused the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of extortion and excessive levies collection in the downstream sector.
This accusation follows a vote of no confidence passed on NUPENG’s leadership by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch.
The PTD’s vote of no confidence was passed due to allegations of greed, rascality, impunity, manipulation, highhandedness, and gross incompetence in leadership.
The tension arises from Dangote Refinery and MRS Holdings Limited’s alleged resistance to unionization of its drivers and deployment of CNG-powered trucks.
ADITOP’s National President, Lawal Dan-zaki, dissociated the association from NUPENG’s purported strike, stating that ADITOP was formed to checkmate NUPENG’s excesses.
Dan-zaki alleged that NUPENG extorts members and depot owners, collecting levies without remitting taxes to the Federal Government.
Dan-zaki specified the alleged extortion, stating that NUPENG collects ₦1 per liter of every product loaded in a depot and an additional ₦1 per liter from marketers.
He also mentioned loading charges of ₦80,000 to ₦100,000 per truck, calling it outright extortion and economic sabotage.
ADITOP has written multiple petitions to government agencies about NUPENG’s alleged extortion and illegal activities.
These petitions have been adjudicated by various agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
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