Road transport owners suspends planned nationwide strike after initial deadlock

The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has suspended its planned nationwide strike.

This followed Monday’s meeting with the Federal Government and stakeholders after tanker drivers suspended operations and stopped lifting petroleum products amid harsh economic realities.

NARTO members had threatened to shut down all over the country beginning Monday over the high cost of automotive gas oil, diesel, which is used to fuel their trucks for the movement of petroleum products across Nigeria. The product at the moment, diesel sells above N1,250 per litre.

Recall Monday the meeting of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and other stakeholders ended with no agreement reached.

The meeting was called by the government over the suspension of operations by tanker drivers who stopped lifting petroleum products on Monday amid harsh economic realities.

But the Minister of State for Petroleum Heineken Lokpobiri said the engagement will continue Tuesday as the government would not fold its arms and allow Nigerians to go through more hardship as being witnessed.

He explained that the Tinubu-led administration is working round the clock to address the current economic challenges in the country.