The Nigerian Association of Road Transport operators (NARTO), the country’s umbrella body representing petroleum truck operators, has insisted on discontinuing its services nationally, citing high operational expenses and poor freight rates.
In a letter to the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), signed by its national president, Yusuf Lawal Othman, NARTO stated that it had made several attempts to negotiate appropriate and commensurate freight rates for its operations with the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) and other critical industry stakeholders, but had received no positive responses.
NARTO handles more than 80% of Nigeria’s petroleum transportation, therefore the notice of withdrawal of their services and operations has major repercussions for the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.
NARTO stated that it had no choice but to advise NUPENG that its National Executive Council (NEC) had decided to direct all of its members not to make their petroleum trucks accessible for petroleum product loading activities beginning Monday, February 19, 2024.
NARTO urged its NUPENG-member personnel to cooperate, support, and comprehend its collaborative efforts to ensure the long-term viability of the petroleum haulage business and successful service delivery by guaranteeing adequate and immediate compliance with the instruction.
NARTO stated that it was unable to continue in the business given the current economic scenario in the country.