NARTO may begin full operation as FG implements 25% freight rate

As scarcity of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) persists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), tanker drivers and other haulage vehicles under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) may begin full operations, as indications emerged yesterday that the Federal Government has officially implemented a 25 per cent freight rate for haulage transporters.

The 25 percent increase means that tankers transporting petroleum products now get N11.87 per litre on every litre as against N9.5 per litre.

NARTO had last month stated that truck owners were operating at less than 50 per cent capacity, stressing that the rising cost of operation was crippling operations as government failed to implement upward review of the rate.

The development added to lingering scarcity in the country, especially in states that are far from depots.

NARTO National President, Yusuf Lawal Othman, in a statement yesterday, confirmed that government had started full implementation of the new freight rate.

“I can confirm that the 25 per cent rate has been approved and implemented. So, I am calling on members to get back to operations with a view to reducing the sufferings of the general public. In addition, we are trying to get Automative Gas Oil (AGO) diesel palliatives from the Federal Government,” he said.

Othman called on its members to resume full operation, especially those who had since suspended their services because of high cost of operation.