Amid difficult economic conditions, the National Association of Tanker Owners of Nigeria (NARTO) recently announced a strike action due to high operational costs hampering their business. In a letter to the Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of Nigeria (NUPENG), NARTO expressed the insurmountable challenges they face in the fuel transportation industry.
Despite their efforts to obtain an increase in freight rates from the concerned authorities, NARTO has not achieved positive results. They therefore took the decision to ask their members not to make their tankers available for loading petroleum products from February 19, 2024.
This decision is likely to have a major impact on the country’s fuel supply and economy. It is crucial that all parties involved cooperate to find sustainable solutions and ensure the continuity of fuel transportation activities.
It is essential that NUPENG members and fuel transporter employees demonstrate support and understanding to overcome these challenges and ensure effective service delivery in the fuel transport sector. Collaboration between different stakeholders will be crucial to avoid a fuel shortage crisis and mitigate the negative effects on the national economy.
In these challenging times, it is important to seek comprehensive solutions to address the concerns of fuel transporters while ensuring the stability and prosperity of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.