By Moses Uwagbale
The Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has directed all its members to withdraw trucks especially petrol tankers nationwide, on Sept. 22 and 23.
The National President of the Association, Alhaji Yusuf Othman, gave the directive in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the directive was in protest against Federal Government’s ban on tankers with 45,000-litre capacity from lifting petroleum products.
He added that the Association also issued a 10-day strike notice to the Federal Government, effective Sept. 24, over the issue.
He noted that the leadership of the association received with grave shock the recent government decision to place immediate ban on all petroleum trucks above 45,000 litres capacity from plying Nigeria roads.
”We wish to state very strongly that our members are already discouraged and distressed even with the fact that the transport sector which is one of the sectors that are worse hit by the COVID-19 pandemic because of the total restriction of movement.
”The federal government refused to extend some intervention to the sector as done to many sectors of the economy including aviation, agriculture and others.
“In the light of the foregoing and the fact that we understand the reasons behind government decision, we equally demand that government should be more empathetic and sensitive to the plight of our members.
‘They should also be sensitive to the harsh economic situation of the time by giving us ample time to source for money to re-engineer all affected trucks and operations accordingly.
“We can assure you that none of the major transport companies across the country can continue any form of operations with this policy within this short time frame.
“In view of the above, we are therefore constraint to allow the decision of all our members to park their trucks as from tomorrow 22nd to 23rd September, 2020, prevail as warning, and furthermore, issue 10 days ultimatum with effect from Sept. 24th, for a full blown withdrawal of service.
“If such scenarios occur, we earnestly plead with those who will lose employment, income and general public that will be negatively affected by this avoidable situation.” he said.
Othman described the sudden ban as highly insensitive and unappreciative of the efforts and contributions of NARTO members as businessmen and investors in the distribution and supply chains of petroleum products across the country.
He noted that if these trucks with 45,000-litres capacity were withdrawn suddenly and promptly as being demanded by the government’s decision, it would create another side effect of avoidable unemployment.
He added that more than 40,000 drivers/drivers mate and artisans would lose their jobs.
He clarified that the leadership of NARTO was not in any way against the decision of the federal government to ban the use of truck with more than 45,000 litres capacity in the conveyance of petroleum products considering the dilapidated state of Nigerian roads
” We are particularly concerned about the sudden and prompt nature of the ban.
“We consider the approach to be highly insensitive to the huge investments the Owners of these trucks have made and debts they incurred in executing the mandate given by previous administration, ” he added.
