Another petrol scarcity looms in Nigeria as NARTO begins warning strike
Jennifer Ugwueke
Nigeria could be hit by another imminent fuel scarcity as the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) on Monday, September 21, announced a warning strike starting from Tuesday, September 22. NARTO an umbrella organisation of commercial vehicles owners engaged in the haulage of petroleum products, is giving the Federal Government time to reverse its decision to ban petroleum trucks above 45,000 litres capacity from plying the roads.
If the Government fails to meet its demands, the association would proceed on a warning strike and issue a 10-day ultimatum on Thursday, September 24, and then an indefinite strike. Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, the NARTO national President, speaking to reporters in Abuja, said the association was shocked by the recent decision of the Federal Government.
Othman went on to describe the ban as highly insensitive. He added that it is unappreciative of the efforts and contributions of NARTO members as businessmen and investors in the very critical and sensitive distribution and supply chains of petroleum products across the Country.