The umbrella body of petroleum truck owners, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners has insisted on withdrawing its services nationwide, citing high operational costs and low freight rates.
This was contained in a letter addressed to the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, signed by its national president, Yusuf Lawal Othman.
According to the letter, the association had made several efforts to negotiate with the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria and other critical stakeholders in the industry for appropriate and commensurate freight rates for its operations, but received no positive responses.
NARTO said it had no other option but to inform NUPENG that its National Executive Council had resolved to direct all its members not to make their petroleum trucks available for petroleum products loading activities with effect from Monday, February 19, 2024.
The letter reads in part, “We are deeply constrained to seek the support and understanding of your Union and members towards the excruciating challenges Petroleum Trucks Owners are facing with the high operational costs in the Industry.
“As you are already aware of several efforts we have made to secure negotiations for appropriate and commensurate Freight rates for our operations from all conceivable authorities concerned in the Industry, most especially the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria but which have received no positive responses from them, we have no other options but write to inform you that the NARTO National Executive Council (NEC) has resolved to direct all our members not to make their Petroleum Trucks available for Petroleum Products loading activities with effect from Monday, 19th day of February 2024.
“In the light of this directive, we implore all our employees (Petroleum Truck Drivers), who are your members to show maximum cooperation, support and understanding to our collective efforts for continued sustainability of the Petroleum Haulage business and effective service delivery by ensuring adequate and immediate compliance.
“There is definitely no way we can continue in this business within the context of the current economic situation in the Country.”
