By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday failed to attend a peace meeting convened by the Federal Government to resolve its ongoing strike against the Dangote Group.
The meeting, summoned by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, was scheduled to hold at 10:00 am at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. But as of 2:30 pm, it had yet to commence.
The Federal Government had on Sunday appealed to NUPENG to reconsider its nationwide industrial action, assuring that efforts were being made to address its grievances. It also urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the “red alert” it issued to affiliate unions to prepare for solidarity strike.
NUPENG insists that no oil worker will work with the Dangote Group unless they are allowed to unionise. The union has accused the company of pursuing an “anti-workers and anti-union agenda,” claiming that its policy was designed to exploit employees at the refinery.
However, sources at Labour House told Daily Trust that NUPENG officials were still in Lagos as of Monday afternoon, coordinating the strike.
“One would expect the government to intervene earlier, not after the strike has started. The union had notified the necessary authorities long ago,” one source said.
Another source added: “Even if they plan to attend the meeting, it won’t be today. They still need to meet with NLC leaders before any discussions.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour was seen holding a closed-door session with representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) while journalists waited for the NUPENG meeting to begin.
More details later.