Victor EzejaWith the surging scarcity of fuel in many parts of the country as a result of supply shortage, the Federal Government may have yielded to pressure to avert deterioration of the situation as it as approved the 25 per cent freight rate increase demanded by members of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).
The government has not only approved the new rate but also commenced implementation.
In a statement on Saturday, March 19, NARTO national president, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman who confirmed that the Federal Government has began implementation of the new 25 per cent rate, called on its members to resume full operations so as to halt the fuel scarcity being experienced in Abuja, Lagos and many other states in the country.
Some members of NARTO had last month suspended their services over what they described as high cost of operations and with low freight rate that was paid to transport owners by the government.
Their services included haulage of petroleum products across the country. Othman had said that operational cost has become unbearable making it difficult for them to continue with their services.
The members consequently demanded increase in the rate. It is a form of transportation allowance paid to the transport owners factored into the pump price of petrol as part of measures to reduce cost and boost their revenue as well.
“I am calling on our members (transporters) to get back to full operation now that the 25 per cent freight rate has been implemented.
“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,” Othman stated.
He also disclosed that the association was working towards securing palliatives from the Federal Government on diesel which its price has skyrocketed lately.
“We are trying to look into how to get diesel palliatives from government,” Othman added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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