Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health, has warned that the impending nationwide strike announced by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) poses a serious threat to the healthcare system.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Salako highlighted the critical reliance of hospitals on fuel-powered generators, noting that between 65% and 80% of hospital operations depend on diesel and petrol to maintain electricity.
“The health sector will undoubtedly suffer if NUPENG proceeds with the strike, given that most hospitals currently operate largely on diesel and petrol generators. Such a disruption would be detrimental to healthcare delivery,” the minister explained.
He urged both the union and the employers involved in the dispute to prioritize the wellbeing of Nigerian citizens and to seek a peaceful resolution.
“I call on all parties to act with prudence and place the interests of everyday Nigerians at the forefront. A strike of this nature would not only impact healthcare but also ripple through economic and social spheres,” Salako emphasized.
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“It’s crucial to find a middle ground. Dangote’s contributions to the economy and efforts to boost local production are significant. While workers have the right to organize and unionize, this must be balanced with broader societal needs,” he added.
The strike was announced by NUPENG last Friday, set to begin on September 8, in protest against alleged interference by Dangote Refinery aimed at preventing compressed natural gas tanker drivers from joining labor unions.
Despite the Petroleum Tanker Drivers and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association distancing themselves from the strike, NUPENG confirmed on Sunday that the industrial action would proceed as planned.
In response, the federal government has called on the union to reconsider its decision. Over the weekend, Labour and Employment Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi issued a statement urging NUPENG to halt the strike and engage in constructive dialogue.
He also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to retract the “red alert” issued to its affiliates, which was intended to mobilize solidarity actions against what was described as “anti-worker and anti-union conduct” by the Dangote Group.
