On Thursday, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners issued a warning to go on a statewide strike over what they claimed were excessive operational costs brought on by the nation’s growing inflation rates.
NARTO is the governing body for all Nigerian commercial transport owners and operators who are involved in the transportation of cargo, people, and petroleum products throughout the nation and the sub-region of West Africa.
The Association’s president, Yusuf Othman, stated in a speech on Friday that his members could no longer supply petroleum products since operating expenses now exceed revenue.
He clarified that, although actual costs are N1,285,000 every trip, marketers presently pay NARTO members N1,320 to load and deliver a single truck carrying 40,000 liters of petroleum product.
“We are going on with the strike on Monday because our operational costs have surpassed what marketers are paying us,” he said.
He claims that even though the Association and oil marketers are currently having discussions, neither side has reached a firm decision yet.
“Government is no longer in charge of the market. Everything is now in the hands of private hands. Although we have been speaking with oil marketers, discussions are too slow. And for there to be progress; there has to be some sort of arbitration between the marketers and transporters,” he revealed.
“The cost of tyre has gone up from N75, 000 to N250, 000. Battery has gone from 25,000 to N125, 000. Engine oil from 30,000 per keg to N70, 000, and Diesel has moved from N1, 100 to N1, 350,” he said, adding that the strike would be nationwide.