By Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie
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 of petroleum products amid harsh economic realities.
NARTO members had threatened shutdown all over the country beginning Monday 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.
Like Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol which now sells at over N600 per litre, the price of diesel has skyrocketed of late, no thanks to the forex crisis in the country. At the moment, diesel sells above N1,250 per litre in Nigeria.
Meanwhile the Petroleum Product Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Branch has express relief over the suspension planned nationwide strike NARTO.
The Chairman of PETRAON Rivers State Branch, Francis Chile-Dimpka described the suspension as a relief for motorists who are already facing hardship in getting petrol in the state.
He advised members of the association to commence immediate loading, distribution and dispensing of petrol to the public.
The Chairman of PETRAON Rivers State Branch, Francis Chile-Dimpka also called on the federal government to prevail on NNPC to ensure availability of petroleum products to Rivers State.
Our correspondent reports that some filling stations along Trans-Slaughter road was already dispensing petrol at the sum of one thousand naira per liter while some filling stations were hoarding petrol as a result of the warning strike embarked by NARTO.