NARTO Calls for Strike by Petroleum Transporters Due to High Cost

The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), is calling for a strike by petroleum transporters due to soaring operational costs.

Starting Monday, February 19, 2024, NARTO’s members are set to halt their services, highlighting the pressing challenges that threaten the sector’s sustainability.

This move comes after numerous attempts to negotiate higher freight rates to offset the increasing expenses, which have yet to yield positive results.

This move targets the escalating costs that challenge the sector’s sustainability. Facing ‘excruciating challenges,’ NARTO’s decision signals a critical juncture for the industry, urging immediate attention to their plight.

NARTO’s frustration stems from unsuccessful negotiations to hike freight rates, vital for offsetting the steep operational expenses.

Despite reaching out to the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and other stakeholders, the pleas for economic relief have yet to find fruitful ground.

Unsuccessful Negotiations

In a candid letter to NUPENG, NARTO outlined the dire circumstances;

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.

These efforts to secure fair freight rates have consistently met with disappointment, pushing NARTO to a breaking point.

As a direct consequence, NARTO has directed its members to halt their trucks from loading petroleum products starting the aforementioned date.

Call for Solidarity

NARTO said;

We have no other options but to 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 the continued sustainability of the Petroleum Haulage business and effective service delivery by ensuring adequate and immediate compliance.

This decision underscores the gravity of their situation, calling for solidarity among petroleum truck drivers, who are crucial to the industry’s day-to-day operations.

NARTO’s plea for support and understanding reflects a collective effort to preserve the petroleum haulage business’s viability and ensure continuous service delivery.

Potential Impact

The anticipated strike poses a significant threat to fuel availability, potentially precipitating scarcity and amplifying the economic strain.

In response to this looming crisis, the Federal Government, alongside the downstream regulator and the petroleum ministry, is convening a meeting in Abuja with NARTO members and relevant parties.

This urgent dialogue aims to address the core issues, seeking a resolution that averts the strike and its far-reaching implications.

As this critical situation unfolds, the nation waits with bated breath for the outcome of the government’s negotiations with petroleum transporters.

Consequently, the strike highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to ensure the petroleum sector’s long-term health and economic contribution.