The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says the suspension notice issued by the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) is justifiable going by the economic realities in the country.
PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, stated this in an interview, saying beyond major energy marketers, regulatory agencies and marketers should be concerned about the whole situation.
He lamented that extraordinary levies leveled on marketers paid to the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) should also be addressed.
NARTO members had threatened shutdown all over the country beginning today 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.
PETROAN President said, “NARTO has a justifiable reason to have served the notice but what we do not want to have more difficulties already to the burdens on Nigerians.
“I’m hoping that something positive will come out of that discussion and at least there will be some reprieve to get back to work and will call back that notice.
“The reality is that diesel prices are high but much more that diesel prices is the cost of maintaining trucks is getting out of the roof.
“What NARTO is complaining about is correct. Are you going to pay your drivers pittance? Are you going to use substandard materials to repair your vehicle? Things are getting so expensive every day.
“We need to move as fast as possible to give Nigerians peace of mind to go about their activities.
“What I expect is that the Federal Ministry of Petroleum and Oil and Gas and the Presidency should have a robust discussion.”
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