Scarcity looms as petrol tanker owners withdraw services

Nigerians may be facing another fuel scarcity across the country as tanker owners have declared their readiness to halt the transportation of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, commencing Monday, February 19, 2024.

The petrol tanker owners under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) hinged the decision on the soaring operational costs experienced by its members, primarily due to the exorbitant price of diesel needed to fuel their trucks for product transportation across the country.

NARTO, in a letter dated February 15, notified the Secretary General of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of its intention to withdraw the lifting of petrol nationwide.

The association, in the letter signed by its National President, Yusuf Lawal Othman, listed its grievances to include failed negotiations for appropriate and commensurate freight rates for its operations.

Othman noted that the existing rate is not supporting members’ operations and until a review is approved they will not return to work.

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He highlighted the stagnant freight rates, which have remained unchanged despite increases in operational costs, saying while the cost of essential consumables has surged due to the depreciation of the local currency against the dollar, freight rates have remained stagnant since the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The NARTO president said: “We are deeply constrained to seek the support and understanding of your Union and members towards the excruciating challenges petroleum truck 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.”

The Star