This directive was conveyed through a letter dated February 15, addressed to the General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and signed by NARTO's national President, Othman Yusuf. Additionally, copies of the letter titled 'Notice of withdrawal of operation' were dispatched to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the State Security Services (SSS), and the executive secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (NEMAN).
NARTO serves as the overarching body for all commercial vehicle proprietors in Nigeria involved in transporting petroleum products, general cargoes, and passengers within Nigeria and the broader West Africa region.
This cessation of operations by NARTO could significantly disrupt the distribution of petrol and diesel across Nigeria, potentially leading to a crisis in the sector. The association has been vocal about its concerns regarding the escalating cost of diesel necessary to power its trucks for petroleum product transportation throughout the country.
In its communication, NARTO expressed its inability to sustain business operations amidst the prevailing economic challenges in the nation. Despite efforts to negotiate fair freight rates for their operations, including appeals to entities like the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, no favorable outcomes have been attained.
Consequently, the NARTO National Executive Council (NEC) resolved to instruct its members to refrain from making their petroleum trucks available for loading activities as of February 19, 2024. The association urged its members to fully cooperate and comply with this decision to ensure the sustainability of the petroleum haulage business and efficient service delivery.
NARTO underscored the impossibility of continuing operations under the current economic conditions, emphasizing the necessity for collective action to address the challenges faced by petroleum truck owners.
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