Fuel scarcity loom in Nigeria as the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) direct all its members to withdraw their services nationwide from Monday, February 19, 2024.

This was disclosed by the National President NARTO, Mr. Othman Yusuf in a letter dated February 15th, 2024, and addressed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG.

This decision is followed by the high operational costs in the industry which has led to the urgent call on oil marketers for a review in the freight charges.

The Department of State Security (DSS), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the executive secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (NEMAN) were also copied on the letter titled “Notice of withdrawal of operation.”

The association also stated that all efforts made to get a review for the freight rates so far has been futile.

The statement from NARTO is as follows;

“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.”