The Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) has reacted to the reported threat by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to embark on a strike beginning Monday, September 8, 2025.
In a press statement issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the association outlined its position and passed a series of resolutions.
According to the statement, the DTCDA stressed that while it would not “join issues” with NUPENG, it considered it necessary to put matters in perspective to avoid misleading the public. The association emphasized that the Constitution guarantees freedom of association in a deregulated economy, allowing drivers the right to decide who they align with.
The association clarified that it is not a union, but an organization that brings together drivers in both wet and dry cargo transport sectors, including those working with major companies such as Dangote and MRS. Its mandate, according to the leadership, goes beyond advocacy. The DTCDA focuses on drivers’ welfare, particularly in the areas of health insurance and pension benefits for members during and after service.
Some of the key resolutions from the Statement includes:
1. Freedom of Association: The DTCDA noted that drivers must not be coerced into joining any group, adding that heavy-duty drivers are mature enough to choose which platform best serves their interests.
2. Commitment to Welfare and Safety: The association reaffirmed its dedication to transparency, accountability, and driver education, with the broader goal of promoting safety and sanity on Nigerian highways.
3. Call on Government: It urged the Federal Government to prevent any organization from forcing membership on drivers, describing such acts as a breach of constitutionally guaranteed rights.
4. Support for Deregulation: The DTCDA declared its full support for the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging to play a key role in the seamless distribution of goods and services nationwide.
5. Condemnation of Disruptions: The association strongly condemned any action that could disrupt the supply of petroleum products, describing it as “a disservice and a flagrant abuse of the power of unionism.”
The statement was signed by Barr. Enoch Kanawa, National President of DTCDA, who reiterated that the association’s mission is to secure a better future for drivers and their families while ensuring their voices are heard in national transport discussions.