The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has suspended its planned nationwide strike, with the National President, Othman Yusuf, directing members to immediately resume petroleum loading activities.
The suspension was sequel to Federal Government’s announcement that it has commenced payment of their bridging claims.
An understanding was reached following a meeting held in Abuja on Monday with the Federal Government and stakeholders. The meeting had in attendance the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, with NARTO, oil marketers and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA).
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri said though NARTO’s issues were purely commercial, its intervention and transportation claims payment (though figure undisclosed) became necessary to ensure fuel availability nationwide and maintain a business friendly environment.
According to NAN, Lokpobiri said: “Going forward we will keep our commitments, we have started payment of some bridging claims as they raised; as we get more money, we will continue to pay them.
“We are also committed. By March, we would have been done with the reconciliation to ascertain the level of liability, that will reveal members who have supplied products across the country.”
The Minister, while thanking the oil marketers for their patriotism and commitment in the industry, pledged that the engagement would be sustained to ensure a friendly environment for businesses to thrive.
NARTO members had threatened shutdown all over the country beginning Monday over the high cost of Automotive Gas Oil also known as diesel which is used to fuel their trucks for the movement of petroleum products across Nigeria.
The association explained that the decision to withdraw its operation was due to the high operational costs in the industry.
